Anna Sultana's Pizza, Maltese Style

While I was growing up, pizza was a regular meal.

Not the round pizza in the frozen food section or the pizza we see in commercials

for take out or delivery vendors.

Just a simple, homemade pizza.

Easier, and maybe healthier, than Carmela Soprano's Pizza.

I couldn't say how many this would feed.

Sometimes it was the main course.

Sometimes it just added a bit of heft to a soup dinner.

It was Ma's pizza.

Hint:

The toppings (spices, tomatoes and cheese) are the total amounts for both pizzas.

Just use half on each.

Or modify to suit your family… or budget.

                        Pizza

In a large bowl combine

3 Cups warm water

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 Tablespoons yeast

Let sit 10 minutes.

Stir in

2 teaspoons salt

8 Cups flour

Knead 15 minutes.

Place the dough in an oiled bowl.

Rotate the dough to cover the surface with oil.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel.

Let rise 2 hours.

About 30 minutes before the dough is finished rising

combine in a small bowl

1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

4 teaspoons oregano

Slice

8 ounces pepperoni (optional)

Shred

16 ounces mozzarella

Grease 2 large cookie pans

Divide the dough and knead each piece on a floured surface.

Roll out a piece of dough, place it in a cookie pan and stretch it to fit.

Repeat with the other piece of dough.

Preheat oven to 450º F

Top each pizza with

3 Cups crushed tomatoes

Sprinkle the cheese / spice mixture over the tomatoes.

Drizzle over each pizza

1/4 Cup olive oil, about

Run the back of a spoon over the tomatoes to blend the ingredients.

Top with

the prepared meat and cheese

Bake 25 minutes.

Serve hot.

Ma's pizza is also good cold.