January Recipe

I love new beginnings.  New years, new weeks, new places.  Opportunities to leave old habits behind.  Like Anne Shirley said, "Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it."  

And so I'm sharing a recipe, under the assumption that I am not the only one who has resolved to eat a little better than I did over the holidays.  I'll call it a "January recipe" because come February, there is no refraining from sugar cookies adorned with pink frosting and red hots.  So, here's to January!

I actually got this recipe from the Everyday Food Mag (thanks Joni!)

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

1 1/2 c. warm water

2 packets active dry yeast

1/4 c. olive oil

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. coarse salt

2 c. all purpose flour

2 c. whole-wheat four

Place water in large bowl and sprinkle with yeast.  Let stand until foamy.  Brush another large bowl with oil.

In bowl with yeast, add sugar, oil, and salt.  Stir in flour until a sticky dough forms (I used a mixer...is that cheating?).  Transfer dough to oiled bowl; brush top of dough with oil.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.  

Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface.  With floured hands, knewd until sooth, about 15 seconds.  Divide into two balls.  

**I used one of the balls to make two small pizzas.  I divided the other ball into three smaller balls, formed crusts and then froze for later use.  The recipe says you can freeze for up to 3 months.  Bake from frozen.

For our pizza I just chopped up tomatoes, added olive oil, garlic, a little balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  Brush the dough with some of the oil/vinegar mixture.  Then top with tomatoes, leaving most of the juices behind (or your pizza will get soggy). Thinly slice fresh mozzarella and place on top.  Sprinkle with fresh, chopped basil and bake at 400 for about 12 minutes....until cheese starts to bubble and turn golden.  Enjoy!