Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

OK - my review on this recipe is that it's.... OK. BUT - I see the potential in it ~ hence, why I blog it! I also like the potential for ways to adapt it. I would say give it a try ~ as part of a appetizer type party or even as a main dish with a salad.

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs
Source: Everyday with Rachel Ray

Ingredients
3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup whole milk - I used 1% & it worked fine
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded, about 1 cup
4 oz pepperoni, cut into small cubes - I used turkey
1/2 cup pizza sauce
2 TBSP finely chopped fresh basil

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin pan. in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; whisk in the milk & egg. Stir in the mozzarella and pepperoni, let stand for 10 minutes.

Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through, then stir in 1 TBSP basil. Sprinkle the puffs with the remaining 1 TBSP basil. Serve the puffs with the pizza sauce for dipping.

TO MAKE AHEAD: Place baked puffs on a baking sheet and put in the freezer until frozen. Transfer to a storage bag. When ready to eat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place puffs on a baking sheet, and bake for 8 - 10 minutes until warm.

IDEAS: bacon, cheddar & scallions; Parmesan, garlic & herb

PIzza Dough

mmmmmm ~~ on a snowy night.... fresh, hot, homemade pizza coming out of the oven. What could be better?! Ben prides himself in his pizza making skills. This is an example. He likes making his own dough - he wanted me to blog this recipe because it's his favorite so far. We are on the search for a good homemade sauce recipe - if anyone has one, let us know!!

Pizza Dough

Ingredients
6 1/2 cups bread flour (we used all-purpose)
2 cups warm water
2 1/2 tsp. salt
100 milliliters olive oil
2 tsp. active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 pinch sugar

Direction
Begin by activating yeast by mixing together the water, yeast and sugar and letting sit for about 10 minutes.

Combine flour, salt, olive oil and yeast mixture and stir until a dough begins to form.

Knead dough on a lightly floured board for about 10 - 15 minutes ~ we used our kitchenaide mixer with the dough hook. For about 10 minutes. It will form a dough ball.

Put dough ball into an oiled bowl and let rise for about 2-3 hours or until double in size.

Cut in half (we cut in thirds), form desired shape & top with your favorite pizza toppings! Bake! Enjoy!

Basic Whole Wheat Dough

We had some stromboli making going on at our house today. This was a good basic pizza dough. I like that it uses a wheat crust.

Basic Whole Wheat Pizza

Ingredients
1 cup warm water
1 package yeast (I TBSP)
1 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Directions
Start by combining the water and the yeast in a large mixing bowl (if you are using the electric mixer, use the mixer bowl). Add the sugar and stir to combine, dissolving the sugar and the yeast in the water. Add the salt, olive oil, and 1 cup of the whole wheat flour. Beat the mixture until smooth.

Add the remaining 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour and the all purpose flour. Knead for about 5 minute, until the mixture forms a dough (or use the dough hook on the mixer on low speed for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture forms a ball).

Transfer the dough to a large greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until the dough doubles in size.

Lightly grease a 15 inch pizza pan or a large baking sheet. Spread the dough on the pan and allow to rise for an additional 15 minutes.