this is what fall tastes like : homemade pizza

one of the fabulous things about fall is that i feel i can 

finally turn on my oven again...during the hot summer months

the last thing i want to do is heat up the house to cook something.

since the weather has cooled down we are happily making

pizza once again...and our mouths couldn't be more pleased.

i'm quite proud of my pizza dough...it's pretty fantastic.

i think the crust, a pizza stone,  and the use of caramelized onions

are the key to a delicious homemade pizza.

this pizza was topped with:

olive oil

coarse sea salt

parmesan cheese (lots of it!)

caramelized onions

spinach (lots of it!)

red bell peppers

yellow bell peppers

here's the recipe for the dough:

3/4 cup warm water
1 packet yeast
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar

1/8 cup olive oil + a little more for brushing

cornmeal for pizza/bread stone

1. dissolve yeast in warm water
2. while yeast is disolving, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar in medium mixing bowl.
3. slowly stir in the olive oil to the flour mixture with a wooden spoon.
4. slowly stir in the yeast/water mixture to flour mixture...dough should be slightly sticky. knead a few times into a round shape.
5. let rise for one hour.
6. after the dough has been rising for about 1/2 an hour, prepare a pizza/bread stone in the oven by setting it in the oven at 475 degrees for 25 minutes.

7. Prepare your toppings, chopping veggies, grating cheese, caramelizing onions
8. once the dough has risen double in size (about one hour) roll the dough out on lightly floured surface into a circle or square about 1/4 inch thick. brush the dough lightly with olive oil.
9. sprinkle cornmeal onto hot pizza/bread stone and transfer dough onto the stone. quickly add all of your toppings onto the dough. lower oven heat to 450 degrees and put your pizza in the oven to cook for 7-9 minutes until crust is golden on the edges. 

other toppings we love:

olive oil

caramelized onions

apple slices

spinach

feta cheese

i think we're going to have another pizza for dinner tonight. this is making my mouth water.