Pizza Party! {with whole-wheat dough}

Last time I made the dough, I had so much left over I didn’t know what to do with it.  Well, the next pizza craving I had, I just knew it had to be a pizza party!  What an easy, fun dinner idea!  Layout all of your toppings, sauce, cheese, you make the dough the night before, and your guests can create their own masterpieces.  (makes 4-6 pizzas, depending on the size you want- I’d suggest 5 or 6 because I personally like the thinner side… I know it’s blasphemy coming from a Chicagoan. I’ve already asked for forgiveness).

Anyway, back to the cooking.  Start with the dough the night before:

 

- 4 Cups bread flour

- 1 cup whole wheat flour

- 1 1/2 tbsp honey

- 1 1/2 tsp table salt (or 2 1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt)

- 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast or fast-rising yeast

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- 2 cups of water, room temp

1. In the electric mixer w/ the bread hook, combine ingredients (except olive oil).  Mix on slow speed for about 3 minutes until combined and all the flour is wet.  Then increase the speed to medium and continue mixing for additional 2 minutes.  Dough should be tacky, but not sticky.

2. Lightly grease bowl with olive oil.  Form dough into smooth ball and place in bowl, turning to coat the surface with oil.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap but don’t let the wrap touch the dough.

3. Let the dough sit at room temperature for a half an hour, then refrigerate overnight, or up to 3 days

4. 2 hours before you plan to make the pizzas, take the dough out and cut into 4 or so pieces.

To make:

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

2. Get creative and add your toppings! Let your inner pizza chef take-over.  It’s a great time to think you’re Italian and have pizza rolling/tossing skills.  Whatever makes you happy, dear

 

 

 

And then just bake for 7-10 mins (one at a time), until cheese is melted and it’s a light brown crust.

 

Buon Appetito!  What variation would you make?  I’m partial to a white pizza myself.