Pizza

Dough:
2 3/4 to 3 1/4 cups flour
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup warm water (120-130 degrees)
2 Tbs. cooking oil

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups flour, yeast and salt. Add water and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 3o seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stuff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). (Or just do it all in the Kitchenaid, like I do.) Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Shape into desired pizza shapes and bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Spread sauce (recipe below) on hot crust and top with cheese and desired toppings. Bake for 10-15 minutes more or till bubbly.

Sauce:

1 8-oz. can tomato sauce

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. black pepper

Combine all ingredients.

Note: For a quick lunch or dinner, make dough and shape into small circles (personal pan size) and bake 12-15 minutes or til golden brown. Do not add sauce or toppings. Let cool and place in freezer bags and freeze. For a quick meal, take out of freezer, top with sauce and toppings and bake at 425 degrees till cheese and melted and bubbly.

Pizza Muffins

Pizza Dough (either you favorite recipe, my favorite here, or frozen)
Pizza sauce
Mozzerella Cheese (or the pizza blend)
Toppings, i.e. pepperoni, ham, etc., diced

Make or thaw your pizza dough. Divide it into 12 pieces. Grease a muffin pan with shortening or cooking spray. Evenly press each piece of dough in bottom and up side of each cup. Spoon a tablespoon or so of sauce in the bottom of the prepared cups. Add a generous pinch of cheese, and desired toppings. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or till cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Remove pizza muffins from pan and serve.

Orange Cream Cheese Biscuits

3 cups Bisquick Original Baking mix
2 tsp. grated orange peel
3/4 orange juice
1 pkg. (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 Tbs. orange marmalade
Sugar

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix baking mix, orange peel, and orange juice until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 30 seconds. Turn dough onto surface generously dusted with baking mix; roll in baking mix to coat. Knead dough 10 times.

Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with 2 1/2-inch round cutter dipped in baking mix. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Mix cream cheese and marmalade. Spoon about 1 teaspoon cream cheese mixture onto center of each circle; sprinkle with sugar.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 15 biscuits.

Serve with: These tasty biscuits would complement any egg dish. Or for a casual breakfast, serve with vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit.

Special Touch: Consider using a unique cookie cutter, such as a bird, heart or star, to produce fun-shaped biscuits.

Fried Bread

4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 Tbs. baking powder
1 1/2 cup warm water
Oil for frying (shortening or lard can be substituted)

Add salt and baking powder to half the flour. Add water. Gradually add the rest of the flour til the dough is no longer sticking to the side of the bowl (and your hand, if not using a mixer). Cover the dough with cloth and set aside to rest for about 10 to 15 minutes.

To fry the bread, separate the dough into 6 or 7 equal size balls - keep the dough covered when not using. Pour oil into a large frying pan till it's about 1-2" deep. Heat the oil on medium high heat. When the oil is almost ready, start preparing your dough by rolling out a ball until it's about 1/4" thick and it's about 8-10 inches in diameter. Slowly put the dough into the hot oil from back to front and fry until the bread is golden brown turning once. While the bread is frying, start preparing the next dough for frying. When done, drain bread on paper towels.

Bread can also be prepared on a hot, lightly greased griddle or on hot coals outside. Bread is great with beans, chili, soup or stew. Other toppings include: Powdered sugar, cinnamon, honey, salt, jam or peanut butter.