Shortcuts • Pizza • Fast Food From Home

SHORTCUT  defined - a method, procedure, policy etc., that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something. A means of saving time or effort. 
Dictionary.com

How I define shortcut? A little bit o' wisdom that makes my life easier. 

My days can get very busy where I'm not home much. I know you can relate. I hate to buy fast food because I feel I have to - meaning we are behind, where I (or a family member) am not going to have time or energy to make something when we get home or I have been held up longer than planned and won't be home at all.

This shortcut is always a life saver because 1) everyone can make their own, even little ones, 2) everyone can create the kind they want and 3) it can be done in less than 30 minutes (you'd spend that much time detouring, ordering and waiting for fast food with not as much health benefit.)

This is not an earth shattering idea but most of the time the things that help us streamline our lives are not extraordinary just simple. It only needs to be pointed out.

PIZZA DOUGH IN THE FRIDGE FOR DAYS

Make a patch (or double batch) of dough and let it sit in the fridge for use during the week. It can be for last minute meals or you can plan ahead and have it ready for the dreadful days. You can use if for breadsticks, calzones or pizzas. If you end up not using it during the week you can freeze it to use on another one of those days. Toppings or stuffings can be made from just about anything. So look for some "anythings" in the fridge.

Here is the recipe that we have used for years (at least 10) 

• 1 envelope (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup lukewarm water (95-105 degrees F)
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

When I do it I put the yeast, sugar, oil and salt together in the water. (The book doesn't say to do that but I'm lazy that way.) Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to get foamy. Add the flour and mix it up. Knead. At this point you can do the rise/punch down/rise/punch down process but we never do. We just use it then or put it in the fridge. - I can't find the book that it came from but I will keep looking and add it to the post when I find it.

If you want more info and photos to walk you through making dough here is a site that might work Anna Maria Volpi - A Passion for Cooking. She does it by hand. We use a Kitchen Aid. 

Putting pizza dough in the fridge has really helped make my life easier. It's like fast food from home. Tell me if it works for you.