In my experience, any additional cheese in a recipe is a wonderful thing.
It doesn’t even need to be in a recipe. Any additional cheese in my hands is a wonderful thing.
I think I once ate an entire brick of cheese in about 24 hours in college. It was gross. And delicious.
Initially, I found this recipe for parmesan pizza crust by Emeril.
I used my go-to whole wheat crust recipe instead, and added a big ole’ handful of cheese to it. I was worried it may not rise. Honestly, I don’t know the first thing about baking yeast breads and dough. Occasionally my crust doesn’t rise, but instead of trying to figure out where I went wrong, I just furiously try to roll out a lump of dough to form the crust. I’m usually hungry.
Imagine my excitement when I peeked and saw the dough rising! I had to peek – I’m sure that’s not recommended – but I think we all know that patience is certainly not my strong point.
The best part about this crust was how incredible it smelled while it was baking. My house was full of fragrant baking parmesan cheese.
Trust me, that is a good thing. Now I understand why Emeril always talked about “smellevision.” I wish you could smell it through the screen.
Parmesan Pizza Crust
inspired by Emeril
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
3/4 – 1 cup lukewarm water
In a large bowl combine flour, salt, yeast and parmesan cheese. Mix with a spoon and create a well in the middle. Add in 3/4 cups water, honey and olive oil. Stir with a spoon until dough comes together. Continue to form into a ball with your hands. If more water is needed, add it by the tablespoon.
Knead dough for 1-2 minutes before placing it in a lightly oiled bowl and covering. Let rise for 1 1/2-2 hours.
When it comes to food, Mr. How Sweet doesn’t like change. He likes plain, “regular” meals. If he loves something, he doesn’t want one single thing changed in the recipe.
I knew I couldn’t tell him about the this before he ate it. He didn’t even know I added parmesan to the crust. Until right now.
Sorry, Mr. How Sweet! Good thing you already told me how delicious it was.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
Yes, please! How is it that I never thought to add parmesan to my pizza crust? Wishing I had read this about 5 hours earlier since I made a giant batch of pizza dough this afternoon :)
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Leave it to Emeril, huh? What a fantastic, delicious idea.
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We made pizza using this recipe tonight and YUM. I’ve never made pizza dough from scratch and I only had all-purpose whole wheat flour so I was a little nervous it might not come out exactly right. But it was perfect and SO easy. Why was I ever buying pre-made crusts? Never again!
I can’t wait for our next pizza night :-)
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Jessica — September 11th, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
So glad you liked it! :)
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It’s breakfast time, and you have me craving pizza now! I’m curious what pizza sauce you use…
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Jessica — September 16th, 2010 @ 9:08 am
I honestly just use whatever I grab in the store that day. I don’t really like tomato sauce, but my husband loves it and can’t really tell the difference.
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