PIZZA PIZZA.....

Hey all..

Sooo we have special nights in my house.. hubby works a lot and we don't get a ton of time as a family.. so I try hard to make sure the time we do get is fun..

I remember as a kid we had TGIF on tv on Friday  nights.. my mom would make pizza and then our desert was her popping up some popcorn on the stove and we would watch Full house and Step by Step.. they are great memories I have and wanted to carry them over with my kids..

SOOOO one thing we do is Friday Night is Pizza night.. some nights its also family movie night.. where we pull out out Sofa Bed couch and get blankets and pop, popcorn and have a movie night together...

However I felt like Pizza was getting a little boring.. 

Hubby is a huge sucker for Pizza Hut, however I am not.. I like the pizza dough.. the nice deep dish crust.. but not a fan of their sauce or cheese..

I got to thinking a few weeks back.. I wonder if I could make my own deep dish pizza out of 8" Round cake pans..

Turns out YOU Can.

Here ya go..

here we have 2 deep dish pizza's  One for the kids who like just cheese.. then beef and pepperoni for the hubs and I..

here's the Recipe for my Crust (handed down by my mom) and the basic tips I have for you..

Homemade Pizza Crust

1 cup Luke warm water

1 Package or 1 Tbsp active dry yeast

2 cups of flour

Pinch of salt

Pinch of EVOO

Pour your warm water in a large bowl like a Pyrex or a kitchen aid mixing bowl..

Add your yeast and stir up with a fork..

then let it sit for 10-20 minutes to activate

Next if you are using a Stand Mixer this is when you would want to put the bowl back to your mixer (I use the dough hook)

whether mixing by hand or mixer add the 2 cups of flour, pinch of salt and dash of EVOO to the bowl.. mix mix mix.. once you have the dough in its doughy gloriousness.. which should be kind of sticky but not super crazy cant get off you hands sticky.. if its all over your hands you need a bit more flour..

Take the dough out and knead by hand until the dough feels tough.. If your using the stand mixer you can let the mixer do most of your kneading.. but be sure to knead a couple times with your hands..

Once the dough is kind of tough to knead cover with a clean dish towel for about 30 minutes..

this is a great time to let the kiddos help you grate the cheese.. I use fresh mozzarella and sometimes I add a little grated provolone to it..

Once your dough is risen (doubled in size) cut the dough in half.. one for each 8" lightly greased pan

I then toss some flour on the counter so the dough wont stick and just roll it out a bit.. place in your pan and shape the crust how you want.. 

1 dough gets 2- 8" round pans.. or if your using a traditional pizza pan it will make only 1 of those..

The thicker the crust is the more you will want to precook it.. especially if you are using alot of toppings.. I throw my set up crusts in the oven for 8 minutes at 400 degrees..

I personally don't buy pizza sauce but that works as well.. I use just a plain can of Goya Spanish Style tomato sauce.. its on the thicker side and usually 3 cans for 1$.. SCORE.. I then add some sea salt, cracked pepper, Italian seasoning (Mrs. Dash No sodium) and sometimes a little garlic salt.. top with your cheese and toppings.. Kiddos love that part..

Bake for 15-20  minutes at 350

So that's it.. that's pizza night at the Carey Household.. I love to make a nice salad.. pizza and salad is just a yummy combo..

the topping possibilities are endless.. and while it seems like this will take forever.. Its just the waiting.. which is when i catch up on dishes.. or set the toppings up with the kiddos.. ITS SO INCREDIBLY CHEAP to make.. everyone has the basic ingredients on hand.. your cost is in the toppings.. cheaper than delivery, and actually tastes better I think..

Happy Pizza Party...

Much Love and Blessings- Shanun