Quick Pizza Crust

This makes a good soft crust that is fairly thin. We love it plain or with herbs added.

1 C warm water
1 1/2 t yeast
1 t salt
1 T olive oil
1 T sugar or honey
2 C flour (We usually use white whole wheat but it is also good with plain white or a mix of the two)


Mix all together and let rest for 15 minutes. Roll, top and bake at 500 (yes, really that hot) for 11-13 minutes. Watch it close, because this is obviously a very hot oven temp! Enjoy!

Herbed Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

This is a recipe from the King Arthur Flour cookbook Whole Grain Baking. The recipes have been really great so far and of course they all involve King Arthur Flours which are the best! (Sidenote: All the recipes are whole grain but not necessarily low fat...)

3 3/4 C white whole wheat flour
1 T plus 1 1/2 t instant yeast
1 1/2 C cold water
1 T honey
1 T olive oil
2 t salt
1 T dried oregano
1 T dried basil or rosemary
1/2 t cayenne pepper (I left this out for my kids' sake)

DIRECTIONS:
Measure 2 cups of the flour into a medium mixing bowl and stir in the yeast. Combine the water and honey, add to the flour mixture and stir to mix well. Cover with plastic and let rest for 1 hour.

Stir in the olive oil, salt, herbs and pepper, then add the remaining 1 1/4 cups flour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until shiny and elastic but still soft. (I just left mine in the mixer for three or so minutes with the dough hook.) Resist the temptation to keep adding flour--this should be softer than bread dough. The whole grains will also soak up more of the water in the dough as it rests. Divide in two and let rest for 1 1/2 hours. Roll into two pizzas, top & bake at 450 for 12+ minutes and voila!

PS: I recently discovered that my kids love "cheese and rosemary pizza", which is actually this crust recipe with no sauce & topped with finely chopped spinach and cheese. Ha!

Yogurt Waffles

I am always looking for ways to reduce or eliminate the oil in recipes and substitute yogurt instead. You can do it with a lot of sweet breads with success, so when I came across this recipe I decided to give it a try. They turned out great! We ate them with some fresh raspberry jam & cream although I'm sure they'd be good with anything!

• 3/4 C white whole wheat flour
• 1 C oat flour (oats ground up in the blender)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (16 ounces) vanilla yogurt (I used 1 vanilla & 1 mixed berry)
• 2 eggs
• 2 T butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

• In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat in yogurt, butter, eggs & butter until smooth. Bake in a preheated waffle iron golden brown. Top with flavored yogurt and fruit. Makes 4-6 waffles.