Hello!

Most people like pizza, right?

I have made so many pizzas over the years it’s incredible, and yet, I don’t think there was a bad one.

I started making them years ago from a box mix. Then I decided to just make my own crust and load it up with all my favorite toppings.

My brother used to look forward to me making a pizza on Friday night. I would make one and take it over to Mom’s porch and my brother, Vernon, Mom, me and my son, Dustin would have pizza on the porch. Vernon wanted me to cut up hot dogs and put on one, and I did. It really changed the taste and we loved it. I have no idea where he came up with that idea, but we really liked it. I didn’t know it at the time, but it’s a memory I will always cherish now that my brother and Mom have both passed on.

The beauty of a pizza that you make at home, you can have it your way. There is no right and wrong, it’s what ever you like or prefer to add to it or just a plain cheese pizza is good too!

We would even go camping and I would make a pizza in the camper and bake it in the little oven or cook it over a fire in an old cast iron skillet. It’s a fun time to set around a campfire eating pizza.

My favorite way to make one lately is to make the crust (recipe to follow) and add the toppings of pizza sauce, onion, pepper rings, olives, pepperoni, sharp cheddar cheese, pineapple tidbits, ham, and parmesan cheese.

Experiment and add toppings you like, maybe even try my brother Vernon’s famous hot dog pizza?

Pizza Crust

1 ¼ cups very warm water

1 package of yeast or 3 to 4 teaspoons of yeast

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoon shortening (heat in microwave until melted)

2 to 3 cups flour

Directions

In a mixing bowl mix together salt, sugar and yeast. Add water and stir until yeast and sugar is dissolved. Add half the flour and mix well, then add in the shortening. Add the flour until the dough is easy to handle and knead for about 5 minutes, you can add flour while you are kneading it if needed. Let rest for about 5 to 10 minutes, make sure you grease your pizza pan very well. I usually use some oil. Spread your dough on the pizza pan and let rise about 15 minutes. If you want a thinner crust, don’t give it that time and go ahead and add your toppings. I typically start with the sauce then pepperoni. It’s however you want.

Bake it at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, checking the bottom of the crust for doneness. I like mine a little crispy on the bottom so about 20 minutes works out just about right.

Enjoy!