Let me begin by saying, yeast bread dough is probably the most versatile “ingredient” you can learn to make.  Basic yeast dough can be turned into so many different meals.  From cinnamon roll breakfasts to pizzas, yeast dough can become sweet or savory with the addition/deletion of flavorings and fillings.  

Over the years, I’ve taught my son’s preschool class to make “bread in a bag,” in which they mixed their dough in a ziploc bag, and then, baked half as a loaf and the other half as their own lunchtime pizza.  I’ve taught a local 4-H group to make cinnamon bread.  I’m a firm believer that everyone needs to know how to make their own bread, and it all starts with the basic dough.

For this one, I’ve taken my basic dough, added some flavorings (parsley flakes and olive oil vs. veggie oil), topped it with some not-so-common pizza toppings, and created a pizza that could be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner…or in my case, a late night snack!

Ingredients

Dough

1 pkt active dry yeast

1 TBSP sugar

1 c. hot water

3 c. all purpose flour

1 TBSP dried parsley flakes

1 tsp salt

1/4 c. olive oil

1/4 c. milk

Topping

8 oz. cream cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp lemon juice

3 naval oranges-peeled & segmented

1 medium sweet onion, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 lb. thick cut bacon-cut into 1″ pieces

Directions

Dough

Dissolve yeast packet & sugar into hot water.  Allow it to sit 5 minutes for yeast to grow.  In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.  Add activated yeast & water and olive oil. Stir to combine.  Add milk to reach desired consistency.  Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead for 10 minutes.  Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.  Divide dough into 6 equal portions.  Place on a lined baking sheet, cover with a dish towel, and allow to rest/rise for 1 hour.  

Topping

Meanwhile, mix softened cream cheese with garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and lemon juice.  After dough has risen, roll out each dough ball into a  6-7 inch round.  Dot top of each crust with dollops of cream cheese.  Top with naval orange segments, onion, and cut bacon.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until bacon is cooked and pizza is golden brown.