Making your own pizza dough is not the fuss you may think. In Italy pizza is served in individual size portions and fills an 8-inch plate. The crust is crispy and the toppings are exactly what you want! Don’t be afraid of the yeast. Kids will love watching the dough rise and punching it down. In the heat of the summer this will be quick and this recipe only has one rising!Without your own brick oven how about trying this Grilled Pizza recipe.

Ingredients: Pizza Dough (6 individual size servings)

4 cups flour
1 1/2 packets dry yeast (10 grams)
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 cup milk (warmed for 45 seconds in microwave)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup lukewarm water

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, mix lukewarm water, yeast and sugar. Set aside in warm place until mixture is bubbly about 15-20 minutes.

2. In a large bowl add 3 ½ cups of the flour and salt and mix .

3. Pour the yeast, milk and oil into the flour and salt.Mix together with a fork and then mix with your hands until the dough is not sticky. Add additional flour by tablespoons until no dough sticks to your hands. Knead after each spoonful is added

4. Turn the dough onto a floured board or tabletop and knead for 1 minute. The dough will be soft. Pick up the dough and throw it onto the tabletop several times.

5. Rub a little olive oil into a big bowl. Place dough in the bowl. Cut a deep X into the top of the dough and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise approximately 45 minutes in a warm place. To test the dough put your thumb into the top and if the dough comes back when you take your finger out, it’s ready for the next step.

6. Make a fist and punch dough right in the middle. Knead in the bowl for about 1 minute. This releases extra air. Divide dough into 6 pieces.

7. On a floured surface take one ball and flatten with your hand. Then put some flour on top of dough and roll out into an 8-inch circle. You are now ready to make the individual pizzas.

Ingredients: Pizza Margarita

3 tablespoons tomato sauce or 1 fresh tomato sliced in rounds
2-3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon oregano
chopped fresh basil
Parmesan cheese to taste
olive oil
pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Prepare coals. Make sure the coals are hot and the grill rack has been heated. Put rack furthest away from heat source (coals or gas grill).Put a little olive oil on a paper towel and rub on rack.

2. Brush olive oil on one side of pizza – this is the side of the pizza that will touch the grill. Flip over.

3. Spread the tomato sauce on the dough. Sprinkle on cheeses and oregano.

4. Cook for approximately 4-5 minutes. Add the fresh basil. Move off from center and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.

5. Enjoy this Italian touch: after the pizza is cooked add a handful of arugula to the top. The heat wilts the greens for a peppery treat.

6. Make a fist and punch dough right in the middle. Knead in the bowl for about 1 minute. This releases extra air. Divide dough into 6 pieces.

7. On a floured surface take one ball and flatten with your hand. Then put some flour on top of dough and roll out into an 8-inch circle. You are now ready to make the individual pizzas.