Simple and Sweet Pepperoni Pizza

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Who loves pizza? Really, I think the question should be who doesn’t! Pizza is one of the iconic foods of summer, plus it’s really fun to make your own. So call the kids down, invite some friends and family over, and have some good old summer fun. Here’s a simple, but tasty Pepperoni Pizza recipe that the everyone will enjoy!

Ingredients: 

• 2 medium vine ripened tomatoes – halved (If you like a more saucy pie, add additional tomatoes)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• pizza dough – in the fridge section at the market, they should have a packaged ball of fresh pizza dough. If that is not available, you can always used the one in a can
• 1 package of Italian shredded cheese
• pepperoni – thinly sliced
• corn meal

Directions: 

Preheat a small sauce pan over medium heat with about a table spoon on olive oil.  Add tomatoes and cook covered for 10 minutes until tomatoes cook down and easily separate.  Use a potato masher to turn the tomatoes into a smooth sauce.  You may need to add a splash of water to help you along.  Add in Italian seasoning and garlic, by pinching the herbs with your fingers to release the flavor.  Season with salt and pepper.  Turn down heat to low to allow the flavors to combine as you’re working on the dough. 

Preheat your oven to 400.  Remove the pizza dough from the fridge.  Make sure to keep it cold until you are ready to work with it.  Coat the bottom and top of the dough with a small amount of corn meal – This will allow you to stretch out the dough without it becoming sticky. Stretch out your dough to your desired thickness and shape.  I like to do a thinner crust in a rectangle shape.  Go slow, one section at a time.  Once you get the shape that you like, spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray and place your dough on it.  Bake in the oven for about 5 minutes.  Bring the pizza out and spread on the sauce.  Top with cheese and pepperoni.  Place back in the oven for 7-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly brown.

Tip: Do you like your pepperoni crisp?  Place them on foil and place them in the oven during the first dough bake.