Sunday Pizza

When I was growing up, our family had pizza night every Sunday.  Back then it was quite a treat for us kids.  We only had frozen pizza, not homemade, but we loved it.  Sundays were the only time we ever had it.  Sundays were Mom's day off from her work in the kitchen.  All the rest of the week Mom made all our food from scratch.  She made all our breads, dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls,(she had a knack for yeast breads) Every meal was pretty much homemade.  When she and Dad would go to a wedding or just out for the night she would treat us with t.v. dinners or frozen pot pies which we thought were the best.  We looked forward to these rare meals because we didn't get them too often. I have carried the tradition of Sunday "pizza night" down to our family as well.  We make the pizza, put in a movie and eat while watching t.v.  It is the only time we eat in front of the t.v.  All other meals are eaten at the table together as a family.  Here is a recipe I use when I make homemade pizza. The dough for the crust I make in my bread machine.

Pizza Crust:

1 1/4 c. warm water
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 T. soy flour (optional)
2 T. ground flaxseed
2 t. sugar
1 t. salt
1/4 c. olive oil
2 envelopes active dry yeast

Put in bread machine pan in order given.  Make on dough cycle.  When cycle is done, punch down dough and let rest 10 minutes.  Roll out and place into oiled jelly roll pan, pulling and stretching to edge of pan and up sides.  Let rest in pan 15 minutes, until slightly puffy.  Bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven 15-20 minutes, until lightly browned.  Spread sauce onto hot crust; then top with desired pizza toppings.  Bake an additional 12-20 minutes till cheese is bubbly and browned.


Pizza Sauce


1 T. olive oil
1 medium onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. Italian seasoning
1 T. oregano
6 oz. tomato paste
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
7 oz. water
2 T. burgundy wine
1 t. salt
1-2 t. sugar

Saute onion 2-3 minutes; add garlic and saute 2 minutes more.  Add remaining ingredients; cook 35 minutes more.  Top pizza with desired amount of sauce and cool and refrigerate or freeze remaining sauce.

Add pizza toppings.  Choose your favorites.  We like diced 99% fat-free ham, fresh mushrooms, red onions, black olives and 2 c. mozzarella cheese.