Design-Your-Own Pizza

 

1

package regular or quick active dry yeast

1

cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)

1 1/2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

cup Gold Medal® whole wheat flour

2

tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

1/2

teaspoon salt

Olive or vegetable oil

Cornmeal

1

lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef, or ground pork, lamb or turkey

1

large onion or 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)

1

teaspoon Italian seasoning

2

cloves garlic, finely chopped

1

can (8 oz) pizza sauce

1

can (4 oz) Green Giant® sliced mushrooms, drained, or 1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles, drained

2

cups shredded mozzarella, Cheddar, Monterey Jack or brick cheese (8 oz)

1/4

cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

• 1 In medium bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in all-purpose and whole wheat flour, 2 tablespoons oil and the salt. Beat vigorously 20 strokes. Let rest 20 minutes. Follow directions below for thin or thick crusts.
• 2 For thin crusts: Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 425°F. Grease 2 cookie sheets or 12-inch pizza pans with oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Divide dough in half. With floured fingers, pat each half into 11-inch round on cookie sheet. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes or until crust just begins to brown.
• 3 For thick crusts: Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease 2 8-inch square pans with oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Divide dough in half. With floured fingers, pat each half in bottom of pan. Cover and let rise in warm place 30 to 45 minutes or until almost double. Bake uncovered 20 to 22 minutes or until crust just begins to brown.
• 4 While crusts are baking, in 10-inch skillet, cook beef, onion, Italian seasoning and garlic over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked and onion is tender; drain. Spread pizza sauce over crusts. Sprinkle with beef mixture, mushrooms and cheeses.
• 5 Bake thin-crust pizzas at 425°F about 10 minutes, thick-crust pizzas at 375°F about 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and pizzas are bubbly.