Making pizza is easier than you think! Here's an easy recipe for making great homemade pizza (Wall of Text alert)

To start you need to make your dough, for that you'll need the following:

3 1/2 - 4 cups of flour

1 sachet of pizza yeast

2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 cup fo warm water

Start by mixing your flour, yeast, salt and sugar (If you're using a stand mixer be sure to use the hook attachement, if you do not have a stand mixer get ready to get your hands dirty!)

Once everything is mixed together add your water, once the dough starts coming together add both tablespoons of olive oil and continue to work it until you get a nice ball (add flour and/or water if needed, 1/2 tablespoon at a time).

Next you need to knead that dough. You do this by folding it onto itself at least a dozen times, this is an important step because you need to trap air inside which is what makes a lighter, more flaky crust.

After kneading the dough, form it into a ball and drop it in a bowl lined with olive oil and cover it with saran wrap. The dough will need one hour to rise which will give you the time to get caught up on the new Muppets tv show. Seriously it's hilarious, it's like 30 Rock meets the Muppets.

After having watched all three episodes and agreeing with me, you can start forming your pizza.

First take your dough out of the bowl with flour covered hands and knead the dough another 7-10 times with some additional flour (if need be). When you're finished split the dough in half (I highly recommend freezing the other half for another day) one of these two balls of dough is enough to make two large pizzas or extra large if you prefer thin crust.

The technique I was taught to form the pizza crust is to start by laying your dough directly on the cooking plaque, then you push it down with both thumbs until you get a small lumpy disc of dough. At this point start grabbing 2-inch segments of the edge with two fingers and pull it apart gently, working your way slowly around the crust. Repeat this step until you've reached your "desired circumference". You can also add spices at this point, depending on the pizza I sometimes add chili powder, basil, fennel seeds etc. Don't be scared to try things out

Never EVER use a rolling pin to form your dough, all you're doing is squeezing all that precious air out of your pizza. If you use a rolling pin your SO will probably leave you when they see the flat, boring pizza you made for them

It's finally time to dress this mofo! Toppings will vary from one person to another. Personally my all time favorite is super simple: diced up green peppers, small slices of red onions, spicy pepperoni and some light mozzarella.

Sauces will also depend on the pizza you're making, I'll admit that sometimes I'm lazy and get store bought but in the summertime, when the garden is in full swing and tomatoes are bountiful, I make this simple (uncooked) tomato sauce:

Handful of fresh tomatoes

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp salt and pepper

Olive oil

Crush the tomatoes with your fingers through a sifter to get rid of the juices. Add the olive oil first followed by the oregano, sugar, salt and pepper and voila! Instant delicious sauce

Finally once your pizza is completely topped off, put it in the oven at 410 degrees until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted (usually 11-14 minutes)

ENJOY!

bon appetit