Best EVER homemade pizza dough

I shared this recipe with someone who kindly pointed out my grammar was off in the whole "best EVER" thing.  I completely 100% disagree because when I make this, THAT is what comes to mind.  So yeah, I'm sticking to it.


Anywho, here's what ya do...
Dough ingredients:

• water
• 1 Tbs yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 4-6 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt

Directions:
Mix 2 cups warm water, 1 Tbs yeast, and 1 tsp sugar in bowl till yeast is active. (5-10mins)

In a large bowl mix flour (start with 4 cups and gradually increase if too sticky) with 1 tsp salt and add yeast mixture.  Mix in a kitchen aid with dough hook till doughy & kneaded.  I personally just use my hand mixer with dough hook attachments and it works great!  Start with 4 cups flour and gradually increase if your dough is too sticky.

Then divide in two- this will make two large pizza pans.  Roll out and add toppings!   Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes (might vary depending on your oven- check to see if it's golden brown around edges).  If you are making two pizzas at once, switch the two on the racks in the middle of baking.

*we buy regular tomato sauce (the 8oz cans) that have "oregano, garlic, and basil" flavor added.  Then mozzerella cheese and usually pepperoni.  Basic.  But when I made this for the missionaries one of them asked where we got it from.  Not only is this easy to make but it impresses people too (;

Awards

I have great blog friends who have given me some fantastic awards (: (if you gave me one and you don't see it here, I didn't see it either!!)

Thanks everyone!

Thanks Amy!

Thanks Leigh Ashley!  Thanks Jennifer!  Thanks Ashley!  Thanks Katie! Thanks Courtney!  Thanks Mars!

Thanks Angela!

Thanks Amy!

Thanks Lacey!  Thanks Amy!

Thanks Amanda! Thanks Krysten!

Thanks Amy!!

Thanks Alissa!  Thanks Lacey!

Thanks Amy!

Thanks Amy!

Thanks Amy! Thanks Britney!

Thanks Amy! Thanks Amanda! Thanks Wendy!

Thanks Amy!

Thanks Allison! Thanks Amy!

Thanks Jamie and Amy!!

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Thanks Megan!!

Thanks Megan!

mint brownies

BROWNIES
1 3/4 stick butter
3/4 C cocoa
2 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 C flour
In a saucepan on low heat, melt butter and cocoa.  Remove from heat.  Add sugar beating well.  Add eggs one at a time beating well after each.  Stir in flour, baking powder, and vanilla.  Pour in greased 13x9" pan.  Bake at 350° 25 min. Suggestions for making these w/o mint frosting:  add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp orange zest or swirl in peanut butter... or leave alone. (:

Cool, then top with:

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1/2 C butter

1/4 C shortening

3/4 tsp peppermint extract

3 C powdered sugar

2 tsp milk

Cream fats, add peppermint.  Add sugar one cup at a time.  Add green coloring if desired and a tsp of milk at a time beating on high until you get the right texture, light and fluffy.  Keep damp cloth over it and store in the fridge up to 2 weeks, rewhipping before use.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 C cream

Microwave cream in small bowl until it begins to boil.  Remove from microwave and add chocolate chips.  Slowly stir until chocolate melts.  Ensure the glaze isn't too hot and spread over brownies.

Teriyaki Bacon Ranch Chicken

I found this recipe from kevinandamanda.com and will forever use it!  It's the easiest recipe of all time, too. Your husband will never know it took you no time at all either, since it tastes so darn good!

I'll give you the quick version but if you are unsure about anything, be sure to find it on kevinandamanda.com/recipes for her very detailed instructions! (See my asterisks at the bottom for my alterations)

What you'll need:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, split
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used Colby and Monterey Jack.. I don't really think it matters!)
1/2 lb bacon

{via}

Cook your bacon, let cool and chop into bits.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat.  Add chicken and lightly brown each side (about 4-5 minutes each side).  Place chicken breasts in baking dish, cover with teriyaki sauce and pour a strip of ranch on top of each chicken breast.  Sprinkle with cheese and top with bacon bits.  Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.


My Notes:
*I've already altered this recipe from hers- in that, she wanted you to cook it for 25-35 minutes and that is WAY to long.  If you've already browned your chicken it really doesn't need that much longer in the oven.  I never cooked them longer than 20 minutes and could probably knock it down to 15 even. (besides if you cook it for too long the toppings will melt off)
* Since I only cooked this for two, I used three smaller chicken breasts rather than six and I didn't spilt them.  I just pounded out the ones that were really fat so they'd cook more even with the other chicken breasts.
*She used the kikkoman teriyaki marinade & sauce but I think it's too strong and watery.  I bought the kikkoman teriyaki baste and glaze and I think that's what made it so great- I LOVE teriyaki glaze!
*I also used turkey bacon with this and loved it.  I haven't tried it with regular bacon yet.