"THE BIG BANG THEORY": SHELDON'S THURSDAY NIGHT PIZZA.
There's nothing more delicious than homemade pizza with fresh pizza dough. You'll never want to order out for pizza again after this! Light and airy pizza crust topped with a tangy, bold sauce, mozzarella cheese, sliced mushrooms, sausage, and light olives - just how Sheldon orders every Thursday. Bon appetite!
LOOT: 2 LARGE PIZZAS OR 4 SMALL PIZZAS
MATS.
DOUGH.
2 - 1/4 oz packets active dry yeast
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp salt
3 1/2 cups bread flour
SAUCE.
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup minced onion
1 - 29 oz can tomato puree
2 tbsp red wine
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 bay leaf
TOPPINGS.
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or more if desired)
1 - 8oz package sliced mushrooms
1 small can sliced black olives, drained
1 lb ground sausage, cooked and fat drained
cornmeal
EQUIPMENT.
stand mixer with dough hook attachment
knife
medium saucepan
medium skillet
rolling pin
pizza pans (or baking sheets)
oven
fire
STRAT.
DOUGH.
1.) In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, add the 2 packets of yeast, water, and olive oil. Briefly mix until the ingredients begin to come together. Let the mixture sit in the mixer for 10 minutes, until it starts to bubble and foam.
2.) Add the flour and the salt to the mixture. Mix on speed 2 of your mixer until all the ingredients are incorporated thoroughly and the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
3.) Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead the dough until it forms a nice and smooth ball. It should have just a touch of stickiness to it. Place into an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for at least an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
SAUCE.
1.) In a medium saucepan, heat the 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and onions and sauté until the onions become translucent, about 3 minutes.
2.) Add the tomato puree, red wine, dried basil, italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Mix until thoroughly combined and let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. The sauce should be nice and thickened.
ASSEMBLY.
1.) Preheat oven to 400*F. Lightly sprinkle 2 pizza pans (or 2 half sheet baking sheets for 4 small pizzas) with cornmeal.
2.) Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Divide it in half (or quarters if you are making smaller pizzas.) Form the dough into balls and roll the dough out into circles that are the same size of your pizza pans - dough should be about 1/4 " thick. If you are doing 4 small pizzas, roll into 4 small circles - 2 should fit on 1 sheet pan. Place the dough onto your prepared pans. An easy way to move your dough is to fold it in quarters, move it, and unfold onto your pan.
3.) Top your pizza with a layer of tomato sauce. Then add the mozzarella, mushrooms, sausage, and olives. Toppings are subjective, so add as little or as much as you want! (the quantities in the mats section provide a medium amount of toppings for each pizza)
4.) Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp on the bottom.
Inspired by "The Big Bang Theory"
