INGREDIENTS
- PIZZA DOUGH:
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey (or sugar)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
- 3 cups bread flour (give or take 1/2 cup)
- CHEESE GARLIC BREAD STICKS:
- 1/2 recipe Fail-Proof Pizza Dough from above
- 2 tablespoons softened salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 pound grated mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
PREPARATION
STEP 1
PIZZA DOUGH:
In a large mixing bowl, preferably that of a stand mixer, stir yeast and honey into warm water.
Sit for 5 to 10 minutes or until bubbles form and mixture starts to foam. This tells you that the yeast is alive and kicking.
Pour in salt, oil and half the flour and mix. Once that flour is incorporated, start adding flour in bit by bit until you get the pizza dough to the consistency you want: slightly tacky, but when you touch it it doesn’t stick to your hands.
Once you reach this stage, turn the mixer on high to knead for 6 minutes. Turn a timer on and walk away! Resist the temptation to stop earlier than 6 minutes! That seems to be the magical number.
The dough should be smooth and easy to work with and the bowl should be clean! Lightly grease the bowl & the dough so it doesn’t dry out, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise 1to 2 hours.
CHEESY GARLIC BREAD STICKS:
Preheat oven to 500°F with pizza stone inside.
Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl and set aside. Spread pizza dough out into a 12-inch circle on parchment paper. (This makes it easier to transfer to the pizza stone.)
Spread the butter and garlic mixture over dough and top with parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
Top with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper, if desired.
Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Remove from oven and cool 1 to 2 minutes before cutting. Serve hot, with marinara.
