Margherita Pizza

I don't claim to know a lot of things but I do know this:  If you have pizza dough in your fridge, you can probably make a pizza.  Even if it's just olive oil, garlic, cheese, and herbs.

Here is one that I actually planned out.

Ingredients:

• One Pre-made pizza dough (I use the Trader Joe's brand.  I've used the whole wheat one and the regular one.  The regular one has a better texture.  You can also make your own if you have the time.)
• One large tomato or 2-3 small tomatoes.  Use your favorite kind of tomatoes.  I've used many different kinds.
• 1/4 cup of Olive Oil
• 10 leaves of basil.  Or more if you are a basil fiend.
• 2-4 cloves of garlic minced.
• 4-6 chunks of mozzarella cheese.
• 1/2 Tsp. oregano. (optional)
• Cooking spray.
• Parmesan cheese.
• Salt and Pepper to taste.

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees or whatever your particular pizza dough says.

• Let dough sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.  If you don't it will be really hard to roll out with a rolling pin. (If you don't have one, you can use a wine bottle.  I've also just stretched the dough with my hands.). 
• While your dough is just sitting there, prep all the other ingredients for the pizza.
• Slice tomatoes and cheese.
• Mince garlic.
• Chiffonade basil.  Or leave them whole for a more rustic look.

Oh.  Look at that.  20 minutes have passed.

• Spray baking sheet.  If you forget to do this, your pizza will stick and you will not get to eat pizza.
• Roll out dough and place on baking sheet.  You can roll out the dough in a large rectangle for a very crispy large pizza or round as picture above for a smaller chewier crust.  I've done both, usually not on purpose.
• Par-bake pizza crust for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from oven and drizzle crust with olive oil and minced garlic.
• Add tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and most of the basil.  Make it look good or just toss it all on.  It's really up to you.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place pizza masterpiece back into oven and bake an additional 9-12 minutes.
• Remove pizza from oven and sprinkle with remaining basil, oregano, and parmesan cheese.

• Let pizza rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

I used to make pizza a lot before I realized my husband doesn't really like pizza.  Who doesn't really like pizza?  He's like a unicorn.

Some other yummy pizza combos to try are:

Pepperoni and Olive

Ham and potato

Blue cheese and bacon