New York Style

Well, after the phonies versus the D Bags game last night (NY Giants play in Jersey....Tom Brady sucks)....I am happy to say that the less annoying team  (G Men) won!  Combined with the fact that I don't owe any miles, the winning touchdown was scored via butt, and I didn't have to entertain (with the exception of the grub making) I would call it a pretty sweet success.  Okay, it was a savory success.  But that's because you don't serve sweets to football watchin' guys.  You make pizza.  New York  Jersey style.  It's all about the crust, baby.

Man(ning) up NY Style Pizza Crust

2 tsp. active yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 tsp. sugar

3 cups flour

2 tsp. olive oil (divided)

1 tbsp. basil

In a large mixing bowl, add the yeast and warm water. Let set 5 minutes until the yeast is dissolved.  Add in sugar, 1 tsp olive oil, basil, and then 2.5 cups flour, a half cup at a time, working the dough until a soft ball forms.  (You can do this by hand or mixer...I prefer to get my (clean!) hands sticky.  Transfer dough to counter top and work until smooth.  Move to a clean bowl and cover with wax paper and a clean towel.  Let set in a warm room (I turn the oven on to 100 degrees for  few minutes, turn off, then let the dough rest in the slightly warmed oven).  Take out after 2 hours and punch down, return to warm location.  The dough should be ready after 4 hours, or, is roughly doubled in size.  Lightly flour your counter top with reserved flour, roll out dough thinly onto the counter.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  Scoop onto a pizza stone, cut to shape.  Roll excess into "crust" if you're feeling frisky!  Set your oven to 350.  Lightly brush remaining tsp of olive oil on top of crust.  Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.  Load up with your favorite toppings, and return to oven for 15 minutes, or until baked through. Broil for two minutes to achieve golden brown goodness.

Serves 3 hungry guys.

(Note that although these jerseys are all Giants colors, none, are, in fact, Giants jerseys.) 

Oh well.  At least we had New York pizza spirit!