This was the first time we defrosted leftover pizza dough and used it to make our homemade pizza. I think a reader suggested doing it. Last time we made the pizza dough it made two batches and we saved one.
The texture was a little different than normal but Michael finally got it to work. He pre-baked it again before we did the toppings. That seems to be the best way to do homemade dough. I prepped all the toppings. This time we were doing half sausage and peppers (since we have leftover jarred peppers we need to use up) and a Hawaiian for me!
I was really excited about trying to recreate Apizza Scholl’s Pig Pizza. It’s Canadian Bacon, pineapple and red onion. I sliced the red onion as thin as I could and prepared everything for the pizza.
While we cooked I opened a bottle of Australian Shiraz. At first it had a strange sweet taste but I think that’s because I was sampling the pineapple junks as I waited. š
It got better the second taste. This pizza was also different in taste because I used more tomato paste to thicken up the remainder of the jarred pizza sauce I bought. I finished up the jar and I doubt I’ll buy any more pizza sauce in the future. I think making it from scratch will taste a lot better.
I also brushed the dough before the first baking with olive oil and Italian seasoning. I topped the baked dough with the sauce and added all of the toppings.
My mouth was watering as I took the photos. I could not wait to eat my Hawaiian pizza!
The dough didn’t get as crunchy as it did last weekend. Michael decided to cook it a little longer. The verdict: next time bake at a higher temperature. I flipped through a magazine about exotic adventure vacations (like Bhutan and bike riding in Patagonia) and sipped my wine while we waited. It was finally done. More photos! Torturing me!
Look at that photo and tell me you aren’t dying for a slice!
Dinner was served. We settled in with our pizza, wine and Toy Story. Can you believe that I’ve never seen the movies? The pizza was great. I loved the flavors. The crust needed to be just a tad crunchier but it wasn’t bad for a first attempt with frozen dough.
I ate two slices of the Hawaiian and one slice of the Sausage and Peppers. The Sausage and Peppers was much better this time. For dessert I ate half of the mini Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I was too full to eat the whole thing, even though it was small.
So I guess I ate about half of the serving (250 calories for a full) and I’d guess I ate about 190 calories worth of it. It was more than I needed but I wanted something sweet to end the night. I think the Hawaiian pizza will be a staple in this house!
My weekend was going okay I guess. I had a good workout Saturday morning–despite the shortness of breath I was experiencing. I called the doctor and it’s probably the costochondritis returning. I experienced it the first time back in September right after I ran Hood to Coast. It feels just like that. While we watched the movie last night I was taking Advil to relieve the inflammation and using a heating pad on my chest. I am not happy that this is back. š
QUESTION: What was the highlight of your weekend?
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
I think pizza and ice cream is my all time fave meal combo. Not very healthy living blogger, huh? Oh well. It fits into balance so that’s healthy! Yours looks great.
Lisa Eirene
Perhaps pizza and ice cream aren’t the best choices but eating them in moderation works for me! The pizza was good too.
Ivie Enriquez
Good Looking Pizza!
I’ve purchased doughs from Trader Joes and put them in the freezer, the trick to thawing it is take it out and leave it in the fridge for a day, and then take out and leave it at room temp for an hour or more before using it, so it can rise a bit. You can even take it out of the plastic bag (that I am guessing you froze it in) put it in a bowl in a ball, oil it up and just cover the top with plastic wrap, as you defrost it and when it sits on the counter. That way it has room to rise.
Also, I’ve learned that the higher the temp, the better. We cook ours at 450 degrees, and I like my cheese to get a little brown and bubbly!
I love pineapple on my pizza – My favorite is pepperoni and pineapple! Usually, I have little safeway (or dole) cups of pineapple on hand, which I put on my pizza after it comes out of the oven. Ryan completely rejects fruit on pizza. I think it was something I picked up in grade school, it seemed that pizza day was also pineapple fruit cup day – and don’t forget the ranch for dipping!
Our day was wonderful – I’ll be writing about it later – it was a Date Day – that I didn’t want to end!
Lisa Eirene
We did not take the frozen dough out soon enough. I’m sure you are right. I think Michael defrosted it a bit in the microwave and then it sat on the counter for awhile. I’ve never tried ranch dressing with pizza! Interesting….
Lori
I love pineapple and ham pizza (no onions for me). Alton Brown cooks his pizza hot and fast, which makes for a crisper crust rather than a bready crust -although I enjoy either style!
We had a very good and busy weekend here. The best part was seeing some owls up close at a presentation. Very cool.
Lisa Eirene
I will try Alton Brown’s recipe next time.
There’s a raptor park somewhere here in Portland. I’ve never been though. I look at the raptor cam once in awhile. Birds are amazing.
DefineDiana
I’m sorry you aren’t feeling good. I saw your tweet the other day about the costcohondritis and I honestly thought you made up a term that meant something along the lines of a fear of spending too much money at Costco. Ha! You can see where my mind was.
By the way, if you have a grill you should definitely try grilling pizza dough. This is by far my favorite way to make pizza. Usually you are doing more of a thin type version though.