Delivery Dilemma?

Ever find yourself coming home after a long day and find the thought of tackling a homemade dinner totally exhausting?  Then again, the cost of take out (to both your wallet and your waistline) isn't really worth it, is it?  If you can muster the strength to spend 8 minutes in the kitchen, and wait about the same amount of time as you would for delivery- I can give you an even more delicious (and way more nutritious) pizza for a fraction of the cost.  

When you come home to throw dinner together, the very first thing to do is turn on the oven.  Get the oven working for you from the start and crank it to 400 degrees.  I try to keep pizza dough on hand from time to time for a tasty dinner- it's a great way to use up leftovers from other meals, and it's easy to put together quickly.   I love the whole wheat Trader Joe's brand! but a regular white kind from any grocery will be fine.  

Roll out the dough using flour or corn meal.  Alternatively, you can simply "stretch" the dough between your hands.  It sure doesn't need to be a perfect round- mine never are- plus they look rustic that way.  You will want to build the pizza on a flat, but mobile surface.  I have a great pizza pan, which looks like a round pizza platter with holes on it, but you can also use a plain cookie sheet for this- just be sure that the dough isn't sticking to the tray.  

Now, it's time to consider toppings.  Like red sauce?  Great.  Keep some individual Boboli brand pizza sauces on hand.  Or open a can of crushed tomatoes for something a little simpler.  How about white pizza?  Try some store bought alfredo sauce, or even plain or flavored cream cheese with some salt and pepper layered on top.  I like to top the sauce layer with fresh spinach, which will cook down in the oven and provide some really good nutrients.  Consider cooked veggies you might have leftover? Onions?  Peppers?  Broccoli?  And maybe some chunks of chicken?  Pepperoni?  Anything you have lying around- get creative.  The best cheeses for pizzas are those which melt well.  Mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, etc.  Parmesan is great in addition, but not always enough on it's own.  While I cannot imagine a tasty pizza without cheese, it too is entirely optional.  

Place the pizza in a preheated 400 degree oven.  If you have a pizza stone, place the pizza directly onto it in the oven.  Pizza stones are great because they help to crisp the crust by instantly cooking from the bottom and the top in an oven.  Using a cookie sheet will slow things down a bit, and you'll end up with a slightly softer crust, but it will certainly work.  I have a large piece of foil covering the grates on the top rack of my oven, and sometimes I will place pizza directly on it.  Just be careful that nothing "falls or drips" down to the bottom and burns- that can really kill a good pizza buzz.  Pizza will take anywhere from 25-35 minutes depending on thickness and toppings.  Bake to desired doneness and allow to sit for about 5 minutes before slicing.  

Crack open a quality beer and erase the hard parts of your day.  Homemade (and healthy!) pizza is just moments away.