Recipe for cooking whole wheat pizza crust

Quick Meals- Salad and Pizza :: Pizza Crusts and Sauces

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

1 envelope active dry yeast
1 C. very warm water
1 1/2 C. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 C. unbleached white flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Allow to rest for 5 min. Stir in whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, extra virgin olive oil and 1 C. of the unbleached white flour. Knead in the remaining 1/2 C. of unbleached white flour by hand, kneading for about 5 min. The dough will become smooth and elastic.

Spray a med. size glass bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Place dough in bowl and turn to coat thoroughly. Cover bowl and allow to rise in a warm place for 15 min.

Spray one 15-in. pizza pan or two 10-in. pizza pans with nonstick cooking spray. Stretch pizza dough to fit pan and flute outer edges of crust to hold fillings. Put crust in 425 degree F preheated oven for 5 min. Remove from oven and place desired toppings on partially baked crust and return to 425 degrees F oven until cheese is melted and crust is browned. (About 15 min.)

Top with pizza sauce and any combination of: provolone cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, lean ground beef, onions, green bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives and pepperoni.

NOTE: You can save about half of the mozzarella cheese to add to the top of the pizza about 5 min. before the pizza should be done.