Pizza Party...

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A good friend called me for this recipe tonight...though we didn't have pizza tonight I post in in honor of a spectacular 15 year old who is celebrating his birthday with pizza, friends and family tonight....Happy Birthday!

Simple Pizza Dough (with fresh herbs)
Ideal for the small pizza party with good friends :)
Makes four 7 inch pizzas or more little ones ...I made a double batch for a pizza party for 5 people...we made lots of mini's

1 package active dry yeast ( I use the instant dry yeast to make it all go faster)
2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees- 115 F)  Warm room temp basically...you want it to be warm, but not too warm...use a thermometer until you can tell just by touch
pinch of sugar
 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1& 1/2 TBS olive oil
Optional: 1/2 cup fresh rosemary(or 1/4 cup dried)...sounds and looks like A LOT but is sooooo good.  You should grow your own rosemary...it's so easy in Texas...stays green year round.

1. Place yeast (if using non-instant) in small bowl.  Stir in water and sugar.  Let stand for about 10 min, then mix. ( If using instant dry yeast, just mix it in with the dry ingredients and proceed with step 2.)
2. In a large mixing bowl (food processor or a kitchen aid mixer with a dough attachment which is what I use) combine flour, cornmeal, rosemary and salt...add yeast (dry instant or wet mixture above), olive oil and mix.
3. Set dough mix on a work surface dusted with flour.  Knead dough vigorously for about 5 min.  Divide dough into 4 or 8 equal parts and shape into balls
4.  Lightly oil a baking sheet.  Transfer dough onto sheet an lightly brush with olive oil. cover with plastic wrap and let sit in warm place until dough has doubled (about 1.5 hrs with reg yeast...maybe 30 min with instant)
5. dough can be frozen at this point if desired..or baked!  (let thaw at room tem before rolling out)
6.  Flatten dough ball with heel of hand on lightly floured work surface.  The smaller the  ball, the easier to work.  lit and pinch each dish from center outward in a circular motion until its thin. 
7.  Place dough on pizza peel (or cutting board) with a liberal sprinkling of corn meal underneath
8. Top with toppings of choice...the simpler the better.
9. slide pizza onto preheated stone or baking sheet...bake till golden..also can prebake about 10 min before topping...Make sure the oven is HOT...at least 450
EAT  and share with people you love

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