Homemade Pizza Crust

The pizza crust that they sell in the refrigerator section of Mercadona is great in a pinch, but if you have a little extra time why not make your own? It is a real treat and much faster and easier than you probably imagine.

Homemade Pizza

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 package yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water (120º to 130º F or 50º to 55º C) I use a meat thermometer I bought in the United States to measure the temperature.
2 tablespoons olive oil

This is the yeast that I use:

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl combine 1 1/4 cups of the flour, yeast and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil.  Mix it together very well with a spoon, add the remaining two cups of flour and mix together until well blended.  With the dough hooks knead the dough together for about five minutes adding as much extra flour as needed to form a nice, stiff dough.  (you can also knead by hand on a floured surface if desired.)

Divide the dough in half, place on a lightly floured surface, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for ten minutes.

Grease a baking sheet with olive oil, place one of the dough halves on the baking sheet and with the palm of your hand pound the dough into a thin, circle shape.  Top with sauce (I love the jarred tomato with oregano and basil pasta sauce from Mercadona), toppings and cheese. Bake in a preheated 425º oven (220ºC) until the cheese is brown and bubbly, about 12 minutes.

Easy and delicious!

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Recipe: White chocolate macadamia nut cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (125 g.) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup finely minced coconut flakes
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces (3 - 75 g. bars) white chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Directions:

Cream together the butter and sugar, then add the coconut, egg, milk and vanilla and mix well.

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, and mix together with the electric mixer until a dough is formed.

Mix in the white chocolate and macadamia nuts.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake in a 300º oven ( 150º C) for 12-14 minutes. They should be starting to brown around the edges but be soft in the center.

Enjoy!