"Clean Out The Frig" Pizza

It is high time we get this blog updated!

So, ya' know we've been redoing the bathroom this past week... well, it isn't done yet (ran into a few hiccups). But things are looking up... more on the project another time.

One thing we like to make when we don't have a lot of time is PIZZA. I'll tell you about our grilled versions another time, but this version is our "clean out the frig" variety.

I came across a dough recipe a long time ago in a book called "Tightwad Gazette." That was in the days when I was a big "refunder" (coupon clipper). Anyway, it is a really fast and easy dough you can whip up in your food processor.

The recipe is at the bottom of this post, but basically you proof some yeast (definitely buy yeast at Costco -- it is SO cheap that way).


After a few minutes, mix the yeast with some flour, salt, oil and water.


Then you let the dough rise. You know where? I put some water in a glass measuring cup, then put it in the microwave for a few minutes until it boils. Then I put the dough in a plastic bag (that I sprayed oil in) and put it in the microwave to rest. The steam from the boiling water makes the inside of the microwave nice and toasty. No, don't turn ON the microwave when the dough is hiding out in there -- just let it rest for a bit. How long? I don't know -- how long do you have? Only 5 minutes this time? 30 minutes? Oops, started playing Bejeweled online and it has been a couple of hours now? Just open the bag, punch down the dough and keep going.

What are you going to bake your pizza on? I have an old Pampered Chef pizza stone, but a cookie sheet will do just fine.


If you are really good, you can throw the dough in the air to stretch it out, but mine would just fall on the floor. I smoosh it around on the stone, pick it up and turn it over (the dough -- not the stone), smoosh it some more, keep pressing and smooshing until it is as big as you want it. If you have an area that is really thick, and other areas that break, just pull off a little piece from the thick area and smoosh it on top of the thin areas. (You have to be good at smooshing to make this recipe!)

What about sauce? Well, you can make whatever you want, but our family likes a basic red sauce. My recipe is also at the end of this blog, and it makes enough for TWO pizzas. If you put half in the freezer, next time you make pizza it is even faster to the table!



Here is where the "clean out the frig" part comes in... whatever you have in the frig tonight is good to go. This time we made orange bell pepper/olive/salami/ham.


Put it in the oven for 10-15 minutes, and you have yummy pizza. Probably faster than Pizza Hut can deliver! YUM!

Thick And Chewy Pizza Dough from The Tightwad Gazette II
by Amy Dacyczyn page 8

1/2 to 3/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F.)
1 package (1 tablespoon) dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine 1/4 cup of the water with the yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve the yeast, and let stand until bubbly, about five minutes. Put the flour, oil, and salt into a food processor, and process about five seconds with a steel blade.

Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and process about 10 seconds, or until blended. Turn on the processor and drizzle just enough of the remaining water through the feed tube so the dough forms a ball that cleans the sides of the bowl. Process so that the ball turns around about 25 times.

Put the dough ball onto a 14-inch greased pizza pan or large cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap or a bowl, and let stand 10 minutes. Pat the dough out so that it covers the pan, leaving a ridge on the edges. (Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, spin the dough in the air a few times.) Spread with pizza sauce, and add the cheese and toppings.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Pizza Sauce from Betty Crocker's BREADS pg. 18

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic or onion powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients. Let stand one hour.