Pizzeria Style Pizza

I got this recipe from my Mom.  It's by far my favorite homemade pizza recipe!  It's like pizzeria pizza only better.  No one will notice that the crust is whole grain.  And the sauce.....well the sauce is super tasty best pizza sauce ever and also a wonderful dip for bread sticks.  Put on your favorite toppings and you might just think you were at Pizza Hut or something!

Pizzeria Style Pizza Crust

2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons honey or Sucanat
2 Tablespoons active dry Yeast
1/2 cup Vital Wheat Gluten
2+/- cups whole hard white wheat flour
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 Tablespoon Real Salt
Corn Meal

In a large bowl place warm water (about 110 degrees) and Sucanat or honey and stir.  Sprinkle yeast on top.  Let mixture foam (about 10 minutes).  Add gluten and mix until smooth.  Add 1/4 cup of flour at a time mixing well after each addition.  Add just enough flour to have a nice dough but still kind of sticky.  You may add  more or less than the two cups flour, just get the right consistency.  With the last addition of flour add the oil and salt.  Cover Bowl and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.  Split into 2 pieces and roll into 2 large size pizzas, place on pizza pans sprinkled with corn meal.  Top and bake at 500 degrees for about 10 minutes.

NOTE:  To avoid soggy crust in the middle you will want to bake the pizza on a pizza pan that has holes in the bottom on the bottom rack of the oven OR use a pizza stone that is already hot (be careful not to burn yourself putting the crust on) OR pre-bake the crust for about 5 minutes before adding the toppings (again be careful not to burn yourself)!

Pizzeria Pizza Sauce

(enough for 2 pizzas with some left over for dipping)
4 Tablespoons Olive oil
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1 Onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (29 ounce) can tomato puree
2 teaspoons dried basil
3 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon real salt
1 teaspoon Sucanat
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
2 1/2 teaspoons crushed fennel seed

In medium pot or skillet, melt coconut oil with olive oil.  Saute onion, celery and garlic until soft.  Add tomato puree and stir well.  Add the rest of the ingredients, slowly simmer for about 10 minutes or time desired (longer will bring out more flavor, just don't burn).  Remove the bay leaves and spread on prepared pizza dough.

My Favorite Pizzeria Type Pizza Toppings

Thinly sliced onion
Thinly sliced GREEN bell pepper
canned mushrooms
sliced olives
pineapple
Cheezy Sauce thinned with rice milk so it can be drizzled on pizza
Artichoke hearts (opt.)

You can use any toppings you like these are just my favorites!