Homemade Cheese Pizza

Pizza is one of the most popular foods around the world, among people of all ages. The variations for crust recipes and toppings are endless for every taste bud. Some (aka me) like it thin and crusty, to others the thicker the pizza the better. This particular recipe is one of my favorite go-to classic pizza.

Ingredients:

Dough: 3/4 cup (177g) half-and-half 110 degrees (43 C) 1/4 cup (60g) warm water 110 degrees (43 C) 1 tbsp olive oil 2 cups (473g) all purpose four 1/8 cup (30g) cornstarch 1 1/8 tsp (5.5g) dry yeast 3/4 tsp (1g) salt 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp sugar Sauce and Topping: 7 oz (200g) canned diced tomatoes, drained, reserve 1/4 cup (60ml) juice liquid 1/2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp for basting pizza crust before baking 1/2 tbsp tomato paste 1 minced garlic clove 1/2 tsp dried oregano (or 1/2 tbsp minced fresh) 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup (236 g) grated fresh Mozzarella 1/4 cup (60g) grated Parmesan cheese 1/8 cup (30ml) half-and-half Preparation: Dough: Preheat oven with baking stone inside to 500 degrees F (260 C) for about 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your oven. Combine half-and-half, water and oil. Using dough hook for the mixer combine together on a medium speed sugar, yeast, salt, baking powder, cornstarch and flour Add half-and-half mixture to the dry ingredients and mix for about 5 mins. The dough will be wet and cling to the sides of the mixer bowl Transfer the dough to a bowl sprayed with oil, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise at room temperature for about 1hr, or until the dough is doubled in size. Pulse drained tomatoes, and reserved juice in a blender until coarsely ground, just a couple of pulses. Heat oil until simmering, adding tomato paste. Cook it until it starts to get brown, approximately 2 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, pepper flakes and stir for 30 seconds. Add pulsed tomatoes, bring to simmer and cook until reduced to approximately 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes Season with salt and pepper to taste and let cool Mix Parmesan and Mozzarella with half-and-half until well combined. With well-oiled hands press dough out to form a circle approximately 12 inches in diameter. Put 1/2 cup sauce onto the dough leaving border around the edge. top with cheese mixture Brush the edges with Olive oil Slide the pizza onto the baking stone /pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is well browned, rotating once halfway through. Let cool for 5 minutes on a cooling rack before serving. Enjoy!