Pizza Rolls

Pizza Dough

1/4 cup warm water
2 tsp instant yeast
1 tsp sugar

1 3/4 cups warm water
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil
5 cups bread flour

In a 1 cup measuring cup, mix together first three ingredients.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together remaining water, salt and oil.  Add 2 cups flour and mix.  Add yeast mixture.  Add remaining flour and stir as much of the flour into the dough as possible.  The dough will be very stiff.  Turn out the dough on a greased surface and knead in any flour that you were not able to mix in with a spoon.  Knead for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Place dough in a greased bowl and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled.  Use right away in your recipe, or divide dough in half and place each half in a ziploc bag and freeze.  Will stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Fresh Tomato Topping

1 lb. ripe tomatoes (about 5 medium), peeled and seeded and diced
1/2 tsp. salt
3 Tbs. fresh basil, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

In a bowl, sprinkle diced tomatoes with the salt and let sit for about 5 minutes.  Drain off any liquid from the bowl (if using as a salsa type topping, no need to drain).  Mix in remaining ingredients.  Store extra (yeah, right!) in covered container in the refrigerator.

Extra topping ideas: salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone, olives, finely diced green/red peppers, sautèd mushrooms, caramelized onions