Spicy Sausage Pizza

By tulawdog

Ingredients

• (Dough makes 2 crusts)
• For the Dough
• 5 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 1/3 cup warm water
• 3/4 tbs. salt
• 1 1/4 tsp. yeast
• For the Topping
• 2 tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 lb. spicy sausage, casing removed and crumbled
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 green pepper, sliced
• 3 button mushrooms, sliced
• Oregano, to taste
• Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

For the dough

1. Combine bread flour and water and mix on low speed until blended. Set aside and let sit for 15 minutes.

2. Add the salt and yeast and mix on low speed for 5 minutes. Place in bowl lightly covered in oil (dough may be sticky, this is okay). Cover and set aside for 20 minutes. Uncover and punch-down dough. Cover and set aside 20 minutes. Uncover and punch-down dough again. Cover and set aside a third time for 20 minutes.

3. Finally, uncover and pinch-down dough. Cover and set aside for 2 hours (I let it sit for about 4 hours and it came out great).

4. About an hour before baking time, preheat oven to 450 degrees with baking stone in oven. If using dough for pizza crust, divide dough in half. Refrigerate half for later use. Take other half and shape into a circle. Dust top and roll out with rolling pin. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.

5. Uncover dough and stretch out. Cover and let sit 30 minutes. Add toppings (see below) and place on preheated baking stone, dusted in cornmeal. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Serve and enjoy!

For the topping

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and onion and saute until cooked through, about 8-12 minutes. Drain pan.

2. Top pizza dough with sauce, cheese, cooked sausage and onion, peppers, mushrooms, and seasoning. Bake about 20 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Serve and enjoy!