Happy Belated Father’s Day!!!!: A Pizza Dough Recipe

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Prior to becoming a father, my husband made it excruciatingly clear that he was going to position himself ‘above the hips’ during the labor and delivery of our oldest child.   I didn’t care where he was in the delivery room, just as long as he didn’t faint or bolt.

Initially, my husband dutifully stood by my side as I pushed through contractions and mangled/numbed his hands.  However, after approximately 5 minutes of pushing, something spectacular happened.

While leaning my head forward during a contraction, I found my husband in a new ‘position’ – he was at the foot of my bed, hovering over my OB’s shoulder with his jaw agape while observing the ‘stretching exercise’ in absolute astonishment and elation.  I was flabbergasted.   If I had a camera then, you would have a picture now.

Minutes later, Pai, our oldest, emerged and made her announcement with a reassuring, Hyena-like call to the world.

Since becoming a father, my husband has exceeded any and all expectations, particularly with regards to our children.  Use the bathroom with the door ajar so your baby isn’t screaming/agonizing for a glimpse of your face?  He’ll do it.  Sing along to the theme song of ‘Elmo’s World’ on repeat while expressing the same enthusiasm as someone who just won $1M?  He’ll do it?  Stick a thermometer up your child’s behind to check her temperature?  He’ll do it.  Dawn matching aprons so you can make mini-pizzas with your daughter?  He’ll do that, too.

Here’s to all the hunky, dedicated ‘daddies’ out there who do it all and more for their children….

Whole-Wheat Parmesan Pizza Dough
Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen’s Baking Illustrated

Ingredients:

2 cups of organic bread flour
2 cups of organic pastry flour
1 packet of organic active dry yeast (I use RiZE brand)
1 teaspoon of salt
1-3/4 cups of water
2 tablespoons of olive oil
½ cup or Parmesan reggiano
2 teaspoons of fresh, organic rosemary

Directions:

Put ½ a cup of warm water in a measuring cup.  Add the yeast and let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the yeast begins to foam.  In the meantime, place the flour into an electric mixing bowl, along with the salt, Parmesan and rosemary.  Mix for 10 seconds, using the paddle attachment.

Once the yeast has foamed, add an additional 1-1/4  cup of warm water to the measuring cup, along with the olive oil.  Slowly add the liquid to the electric mixer while on low speed, using the paddle attachment.  After relatively incorporated (will look very sticky and lumpy), switch to the dough attachment.  Mix the dough on low-medium speed for about 5-6 minutes, adding more flour (either one is fine) by the tablespoon if the dough is too sticky (careful not too add to much flour!).  After 5 minutes, the dough should spring back to the touch and should be one mass.

Transfer the dough to a large bowl that has been lubricated with some olive oil.  Cover the dough with clear wrap and set in a warm area of your house for about 2 hours.  After two hours, your dough should have doubled in size.

Follow any pizza recipe using this dough.  This recipe makes enough dough for 2 medium sized pizzas.

Tags: father's day, health-childrens-health, health-recipes, labor and delivery, organic pastry flour, whole-wheat pizza dough

Category: Kids & Food, Main Dish - Vegetarian, Recipe Vault, Sides, Sauces, and Breads