Veggie Pizza

I wanted to make this pizza yesterday but that didn't happen.  So I decided to make it today.

Here is what I did:

Pizza Crust
1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2/3 cup warm water (105 to 115 degree Fahrenheit)
1-2/3 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

In a 2 cup liquid measure, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.  Let stand until foamy, about 3 to 5 minutes.  I used my Cuisinart to mix the dough.  Using the metal blade add flour and salt to work bowl.  Mix. With machine running slowly add the yeast while pouring it through the feed tube.  Process until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the sides.  In a large bowl, add olive oil.  Add dough to the bowl and move the dough ball around so that all sides of the dough are coated with oil.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm location for about 45 minutes.  The dough will rise to about double its size.  Turn dough out onto a floured surface and punch down.  Roll into desired crust size.  Place dough onto a pizza peel slightly covered with corn meal (this will prevent the dough from sticking to the board as you place it into the oven).  Let dough rest for about 10 minutes while you prepare the ingredients for the toppings.

Toppings:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ricotta Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese, thinly sliced
3 cloves of garlic, diced
Dried Oregano
Dried Basil
Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese
Orange Bell Pepper, sliced thin
Can of Artichoke hearts, quartered and drained (you can buy them in the can already quartered)
Black olives, cut into quarters
Tomato, cut into thin slices
Sliced Banana Peppers
Here is what I did to start off.  Brush olive oil onto the crust.  Add ricotta cheese (add the amount that works) by spreading it around the crust.  The the other ingredients in whatever order you would like.  I layered the cheese in between the toppings.

Slide pizza onto a baking stone that has been preheated in a 450 degree Fahrenheit oven.  Bake pizza for about 30 minutes.

Along with the pizza we had side salads, which consisted of green leaf lettuce, tomato, carrots, some leftover artichokes, pepper, banana peppers and black olives.  The salad was served with homemade french dressing.

I want to hear from you.  What are your favorite toppings on a pizza?  Leave a comment below.  Thanks!