Perfect Pizza Dough (with Spelt Flour)

So the groundhog had mixed reviews today, apparently. One said shadow, the other didn't, who knows who we should believe? I am pretty sure it's cold and since the ground hog is only right 39% of the time, I am just going to assume that winter is here to stay for another 6 weeks. That's okay though because in 8 long short weeks we will be off to sunny Costa Rica.


Today started off early by Danny and I going to the gym. I was the slow one this morning, but I was glad when it was over. I walked and ran on the treadmill to the tune of the Today show (well the before 7am one). It was a little bit of a long day, but it really had nothing to do with the kids. Ya know how when you run on the treadmill, you can run faster and work harder and harder, but you still stay in one place??That's how it feels sometimes working in a school. 


After a grueling day I was looking forward to my usual Tuesday of couch, DVR, tea, cooking dinner and maybe baking something. I didn't end up baking because I was being lazy my freezer is pretty full. I decided I would save baking for this weekend and/or February break. With my budget in mind I decided to make pizza. I figure I will make 1 or 2 cheapy meals a week, rotating things like pizza, pancakes, omelettes/frittatas, pasta dishes to save money. Since we buy only organic meat, it adds up, and having meatless dinners once or twice a week saves $$$$. (By the way, has anyone seen the documentary Food Inc??? If you haven't gone organic yet....trust me you will after that movie!)


I bought spelt flour without knowing how to use it. I did some research and realized I can basically swap it where ever flour/whole wheat flour is used. It has more protein than regular whole wheat flour so I decided to use it to make my pizza dough. 


Ingredients
1 1/3 cup of hot water
1 tsp sugar (I use turbinado sugar)
2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup bread flour (King Arthur)
1 1/2 cups spelt flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tbsp flax seed
2 1/4 tsp yeast


I put these ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed and hit pizza dough. It really is so super easy. When it was done I rolled it out on the pizza stone. I used crushed tomatoes for the sauce and sprinkled sea salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, garlic powder and parsley  over the top. I added sliced veges (mushrooms, eggplant and zucchini) on half and mozzarella on half. When it was all assembled I sprinkled pecorino romano grated cheese over the entire pizza. I put it in the oven at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes.

I love the nuttiness the flax seed adds to the pizza dough. Honestly, in taste, I think using more whole wheat flour tastes better than both the spelt and whole wheat, but it was a good change of pace. It didn't change the taste totally, but wasn't as flavorful. 

Hopefully tomorrow will be a little bit better of a day! Does anyone else still watch LOST cause the last season is airing tonight? We have a hard time giving up on shows, so we will be watching! Have a great night! :)


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