Dear Mom,

So, I know we haven't moved yet and I just saw you today, still I thought this would be a fun way to communicate once we move.

I decided to go ahead and post my first recipe even though i'm still in the area.  Especially since you seemed so interested in the Margherita Pizza.

Here it is...

 Margherita Pizza

Homemade Pizza Dough (see recipe below) or store bought pizza crust
Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe (see below as well)
4-5 roma tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
2 tbsp. parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Pizza Directions -
Lightly oil pizza pan or baking stone.  Prepare dough, roll it out and place in a prepared pan.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare Basil Pesto recipe.






 Dice the tomatoes, cutting out seeds.  Place tomatoes in a large bowl and combine with olive oil and 1/2 tsp. salt.

Spread Basil Pesto and Tomato mixture over pizza dough.

Bake 15-20 minutes on lowest oven rack.






Remove pizza from oven and arrange mozzarella and parmesan on top of tomatoes.  Sprinkle with salt and Pepper as needed.  Return to oven until cheese is melted and bubbling.  (about 5-10 more minutes)

Enjoy!

Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

1/2 tsp. active dry or instant yeast

3/4 cups warm water

2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. + 2 tsp. olive oil

Sprinkle yeast over the 3/4 cups warm water.  Set aside.  In a large mixing bowl (with paddle attachment) combine flour and salt.  Drizzle in olive oil and stir until combined with flour.  Next pour in yeast/water mixture and mix on low speed until combined.  (I used my kitchen aid mixer to do this, but you can also do it by hand)

Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form dough into a ball.  Turn to coat dough in oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.  Let dough sit, and double in size for at least an hour in a warm area. 

Roll and press onto pan or baking stone.

Skinny Basil Pesto Recipe

1 cup basil

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup grated parmesan

salt and pepper, to taste

2 1/2 tbsp. olive oil

In a food processor pulse basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.  Slowly add the olive oil while pulsing.  Spread on top of pizza dough.

Store in a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to use or you can freeze this in ziploc bags to use at a later date.