Turkey and Vegetable Frittata

Frittata's are the perfect thing for a quick breakfast, lunch or even light supper.
This frittata is particularly great for using up leftover Thanksgiving turkey.



4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped red or green bell pepper
3 -4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 pound sliced mushrooms
1 med potato, peeled, cooked and cubed
1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup cooked asparagus, cut into small pieces
2 cups shredded cooked turkey or chicken
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

In large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat, sauté onion, pepper, and garlic 3-4 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add mushrooms and potato. Cook 1-3 minutes or until mixture is heated through. Reduce heat to low. Stir in rosemary, pepper, salt, asparagus, turkey, and beaten eggs. Mix well. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until mixture is lightly browned and set on bottom. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top and transfer to broiler for 3 to 4 minutes or until top is browned.

Leftover Stuffing Frittata

My sister-in-law, Rhonda, took home several containers of leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. She's a true foodie also, and is always up for trying something new.

Since my stuffing includes sausage and onions, she thought this recipe would be perfect. So when she called me half way through dinner to rave about this frittata, I knew that this was something to share.

Ingredients
• Cooking spray
• 2 to 3 cups leftover stuffing
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar (regular or reduced-fat)
• 6 large eggs
• 2 large egg whites
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat broiler.
Coat an ovenproof nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Put stuffing in the bottom of pan to warm and stir to break up a little. Sprinkle cheese over top.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, milk, mustard powder, and nutmeg. Pour mixture over stuffing and cheese to cover stuffing. Sprinkle Parmesan over top. Cook on stovetop over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to the broiler and broil for about 2 minutes, until egg is cooked through and cheese is golden and bubbly.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.

Mashed Potatoes al a Rhonda

We have a tradition at Thanksgiving. I make the turkey and stuffing, and my sister-in-law makes the mashed potatoes, corn casserole and green beans. My stuffing is out of this world (or so I've been told) and her mashed potatoes are just divine.
2 1/2 lbs red potatoes, washed (peel if you wish but not necessary)
1/4 lb (1 stick) butter
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

Cut the potatoes into quarters and place in large stock pot. Add enough cold water to cover.

Boil for about 15-20 minutes or until soft. (test with fork, if the potato falls off the fork easily the potatoes are done)

Drain and place the potatoes back in the same pot. (the heat from the pot will help dry the potatoes)

Mash the cooked potatoes with potato masher, and while hot add the butter, cream cheese, cream and salt and pepper to taste.

Sonoma Chicken Salad

This chicken salad is one the classic Whole Foods Market dishes. The tender chicken breast, crunchy pecans and sweet grapes in each bite are hard to top. - From The Whole Foods Market Cookbook

Serves 6
Ingredients

Dressing 

1 cup mayonnaise 

4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 

5 teaspoons honey

2 teaspoons poppy seeds 

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste



Salad

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts 

3/4 cup pecan pieces, toasted 

2 cups red seedless grapes

3 stalks celery, thinly sliced

Method
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to dress the salad. This can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place the chicken breasts in one layer in a baking dish with 1/2 cup water. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes until completely cooked through. Remove cooked chicken breasts from pan, cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, then cover and refrigerate. 

When the chicken is cold, dice into bite-size pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in pecans, grapes, celery and dressing.

Chicken with Grilled Peach and Chipotle Salsa

Juicy peaches are grilled and then tossed with smoky chipotles in adobo in this delicious summery salsa, which is also perfect with pork chops or grilled fish.


5 ripe peaches, pitted and quartered 

Salt and pepper to taste 

1 chipotle pepper in adobo plus 1 to 2 teaspoons adobo sauce 

2 green onions, thinly sliced 

1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped 

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin


Preheat grill. Season peaches with salt and pepper, transfer to grill and cook, turning occasionally, until just blackened, 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to a plate, set aside to let cool then roughly chop and transfer to a bowl. Add chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, green onions, cilantro, salt and pepper and toss gently to combine. Set salsa aside. 

Toss chicken with oil, cumin, salt and pepper and transfer to grill. Cook, flipping once, until just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter, spoon salsa over the top and serve.

Green Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Wraps

Thai curry paste is a mixture of chile, garlic, galangal, shallots and spices. Keep it on hand for an added flavoring kick when making simple sauces, salad dressings or sandwich spreads. Serve this lunch with fresh fruit; sliced apples are a great match.

Ingredients
1/2 cup regular or light coconut milk 

1 tablespoon Thai green curry paste

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 

1 1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken 

1/4 cup shredded carrots 

2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions 

2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts (optional)

4 (8-inch) whole wheat tortillas or wraps 
1 cup shredded green leaf lettuce

In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk and curry paste until smooth. Stir in cilantro, chicken, carrots, green onions and peanuts and toss to coat. 

Arrange tortillas in a single layer on a flat surface. Place one-quarter of the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with lettuce and roll up tortillas burrito-style, tucking the ends in and wrapping each up snugly. Halve each crosswise and serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Sweet Potato Fries

So who's not familiar with the typical sweet potato dishes during the holidays; whole, mashed, candied, pie etc... But here's an idea that's great anytime of the year. Oh, and baked sweet potatoes are great too, with a little butter and brown sugar, yum.
Ingredients
5 sweet potatoes, cut into about 1 by 5-inch "fries"
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the sweet potato "fries" on a foil-lined baking sheet and toss with the olive oil. Bake until golden, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile combine the basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. In another small bowl combine the mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice, and stir to combine.

When the sweet potato fries come out of the oven, sprinkle with the basil salt. Serve with the garlic mayonnaise alongside for dipping.

Funny Food Pix

Eek! You scared me. Dinner - October 31


Potato Flops

Pad Thai

Pad Thai, Phad Thai or Putt Thai is a very popular dish and served everywhere in Thailand, from fancy restaurants to street vendors.
FOR THE SAUCE:

1 tbsp. tamarind paste

2 tbsp. palm sugar

3 tbsp. sugar

1–2 tsp. nam pla (Thai fish sauce)

1 tsp. tomato paste

FOR THE NOODLES:

8 oz. rice-stick noodles

2 oz. preserved pressed bean curd

3 tbsp. soybean or vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

2 shallots, peeled and minced

2 tbsp. dried shrimp, finely chopped

1/4 cup dried salted radish, finely chopped

20 fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, crushed

2 cups bean sprouts

1/2 cup chopped garlic chives

2 limes, cut in wedges

1. Combine tamarind paste and 1/2 cup hot water  in a small bowl. With the back of a spoon, press paste through a fine sieve into a small saucepan. Add sugars, nam pla, and tomato paste, and cook, stirring occasionally, over low heat until sugars dissolve, 10–15 minutes. Cover and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, place noodles in a large bowl and cover with warm water. Soak until pliable, about 15 minutes, then drain.

3. Cut bean curd into 1/4'' x 1 1/2'' lengths. Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry garlic with shallots for 30 seconds, then add bean curd, dried shrimp, and dried radish. Cook for 2 minutes, then add fresh shrimp. Continue to cook, stirring, until shrimp are firm, about 45 seconds. Add sauce and noodles and cook for 30 seconds more. Make a well in center of noodle mixture and add eggs. Cook, without stirring, until eggs begin to set, about 20 seconds, then stir in peanuts, bean sprouts, and chives, incorporating eggs. Serve with lime wedges, more bean sprouts, peanuts, and, if desired, Thai red pepper.

Red Velvet Cake

According to legend red velvet cake was invented in the 1950s at Oscar's in New York's Waldorf-Astoria. However, Raven Dennis of Cake Man Raven Confectionary claims red velvet cake originated during the Civil War, and that southern ladies made it "to keep their husbands home."

MAKES ONE 8" CAKE

FOR THE CAKE:
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp. (1 oz.) red food coloring
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. white distilled vinegar

FOR THE FROSTING:
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
12 oz. butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1. For the cake: Preheat oven to 350°. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, and salt into a medium bowl. Beat eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well combined. Add dry ingredients and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly between 3 greased and floured 8" round cake pans. Bake cakes, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 25–30 minutes. Let cakes cool 5 minutes, then invert each onto a plate, then invert again onto a cooling rack. Let cakes cool completely.

2. For the frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Add sugar and beat until frosting is light and fluffy, 5–7 minutes.

3. Put 1 cake layer on a cake plate; spread one-quarter of the frosting on top. Set another layer on top and repeat frosting. Set remaining layer on top and frost top and sides with the remaining frosting. Press pecans into the sides of the cake. Chill for 2 hours to set frosting, if you like.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Mexican wedding cookies are traditionally given as wedding favors wrapped in white fancy paper.

This favorite holiday cookie also goes by many different names. Some call them snowballs, Russian teacakes, or Swedish teacakes. The names may be different but the cookie is basically the same.
Mexican wedding cookies can also vary by the type of nuts that are used. Pecans, walnuts or almonds can be used.
1⁄4 lb. butter

2 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

1⁄2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 cup finely ground walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 375°. Cream butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat for 1–2 minutes. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in nuts.

Shape dough into 1" balls, using about 1 tbsp. of dough for each. Place 1" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 15 minutes, turning sheet so that cookies bake lightly and evenly. Transfer to a rack, allow to cool, and roll in confectioners' sugar.

Butter Balls

Dredging these melt-in-your-mouth cookies twice—first while still warm and again after they've cooled—insures a generous covering of powdery sugar.
MAKES 4 DOZEN

1 cup finely ground walnuts

2 1⁄4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour

1⁄2 tsp. salt

1⁄2 lb. unsalted butter, softened

1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus 2 cups for dredging

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Combine walnuts, flour, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed. Gradually add 1⁄4 cup sugar and beat until mixture is fluffy. Beat in vanilla, then reduce speed and add flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

2. Using your hands, shape dough, 1 tbsp. at a time, into small balls, then place about 1" apart on buttered nonstick baking sheets. Bake until cookies are slightly golden, about 10 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool for 5–10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, place remaining 1–2 cups sugar on a large plate. Roll cookies, while still warm, in sugar, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Once cookies are completely cool, roll them again in sugar.

Thai Red Curry Mussels

This recipe is courtesy of Bobby Flay

2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 stalk lemongrass, crushed
3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
1/2 cup white wine
1 can unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 1/2 pounds mussels, debearded and scrubbed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro stems, plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
4 tablespoons chopped Thai basil or Italian basil leaves


Heat the oil in a heavy Dutch oven or large pan. Add the lemongrass, curry paste, wine, coconut milk, fish sauce, and lime juice and bring to a simmer, whisking. Add the mussels, cover the pot, and let steam until opened. During the last minute of cooking, add the cilantro and basil. Serve from Dutch oven into individual bowls, discarding the lemongrass.

PENANG RICE SALAD (NASI KERABU)

Make sure to buy the larger dried shrimp and select those that are bright pink or pink-orange (they brown and harden with age). Lesser grades of dried shrimp tend to be unpleasantly pungent. It’s also important to use a fine-quality rice—what you can buy at most supermarkets will yield mediocre results.

1 3/4 cups jasmine rice
3 cups water
1/3 cup packaged unsweetened dried coconut
1/4 cup fine-quality dried shrimp (1 oz) - available in Asian markets
1 large fresh lemongrass stalk, 1 or 2 outer leaves discarded and root end trimmed
3 (2 1/2-inch-long) fresh or thawed frozen Kaffir lime leaves
1 (1/2-inch) piece peeled fresh or thawed frozen turmeric** (optional), finely grated
1 large shallot, halved lengthwise and very thinly sliced crosswise (3/4 cup)
5 tablespoons very thinly sliced fresh Vietnamese basil or fresh cilantro (from 1 bunch)
3 tablespoons very thinly sliced fresh mint
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wash rice in several changes of cold water in a bowl until water is clear, then drain well in a sieve. Combine with 3 cups fresh water in a 2 1/2-quart heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork, then transfer 5 cups to a large shallow baking pan and cool to warm room temperature. Reserve remaining rice for another use.

While rice is cooking, toast coconut in a dry heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until golden, 4 to 6 minutes, then transfer to a small bowl to cool. Pulse in grinder once or twice (do not overgrind or you will end up with coconut butter), then return to small bowl. Finely grind shrimp in grinder until very fluffy, about 1 minute. Thinly slice lower 6 inches of lemongrass stalk and very finely mince slices. Cut out central veins and stems from lime leaves with a sharp knife, then slice leaves lengthwise into hair-thin strips.

Toss together rice, coconut, dried shrimp, lemongrass, lime leaves, turmeric (if using), shallot, basil, mint, 2 tablespoons lime juice, white pepper, and salt until combined well and free of lumps, then season with additional salt and lime juice if necessary. Serve immediately.

Steak Salad, Thai Style

DRESSING:
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
1 to 2 teaspoons chile paste with garlic

STEAK:
Cooking spray
1 (1 1/2-pound) flank steak, trimmed
1 tablespoon cracked black pepper

SALAD:
3 cups trimmed watercress (about 2 bunches)
1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup julienne-cut carrot
2 tablespoons finely chopped unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
Preparation
To prepare dressing, combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl; stir well with a whisk.

To prepare steak, heat a large nonstick skillet or grill pan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Rub both sides of steak with pepper. Add steak to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from pan; place on a cutting board. Cover loosely with foil; let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Place steak in a bowl. Drizzle with half of dressing, and toss well.

To prepare salad, combine watercress and next 5 ingredients (watercress through carrot) in a large bowl. Drizzle with remaining dressing, and toss well. Divide salad evenly among 6 plates; arrange steak evenly over salad. Sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon peanuts.

BBQ Chicken and Nectarine Salad

Barbecued chicken, sweet nectarines, tangy goat cheese, and toasted pecans make a great entrée salad.
Makes 4 main-dish servings

2/3 cup pecan halves
2 quarts salad greens (8 oz.), rinsed and crisped
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup walnut oil (or more vegetable oil; see "Nut Oils on Salad," below)
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
4 boned chicken breast halves with skin (2 lb. total), rinsed, patted dry, and fat trimmed
Salt and pepper
2 firm-ripe nectarines (12 oz. total), rinsed, pitted, and thinly sliced
5 ounces fresh chèvre (goat cheese), crumbled

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spread pecans in a baking pan and bake until golden under skins, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop.

2. Mound salad greens on four dinner plates. In a small bowl, stir vegetable oil, walnut oil, and vinegar to blend. Set aside.

3. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Lay on a lightly oiled barbecue grill over a solid bed of medium-hot coals or medium-high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 3 to 4 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook chicken, turning occasionally, until meat is no longer pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), about 15 minutes total. Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Remove skin if desired.

4. Slice chicken across the grain 1/2 inch thick; arrange over greens. Tuck nectarine around chicken. Scatter goat cheese and pecans over the top. Stir dressing; pour over salads. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Fennel, Apple, Onion and Pancetta Pizza

1/2 recipe pizza dough
1/2 small fennel bulb

1 small onion

1/2 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and sliced

2 1/4" slices pancetta, diced

3 T pine nuts

2 0z Parmigiano Reggiano, shredded

2 0z Manchego, shredded

2 oz fresh mozzarella, shredded

3 T minced flat leaf parsley

3 scallions, cut in threads

12 grape tomatoes

3 large cloves garlic

3 T fresh rosemary, chopped

olive oil

Halve the grape tomatoes, toss them in a little olive oil and dry them for about 25 minutes in a 325º oven. Set aside. Remove the outer layer of the fennel bulb and discard. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise and reserve one half for another purpose. Cut off the root end of the remaining fennel half and slice the bulb crosswise into 1/4" slices. Peel and slice the onion in thick slices. Chop the garlic. Sauté the pancetta until just crisp and drain on paper towels. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over high heat, stirring, until they start to darken; then scoop them onto a paper towel lined plate.

When the pizza dough has completed the second rise spread 3 tablespoons olive oil over the shell and then the fennel, apple and onion slices. Scatter on the rosemary and garlic and bake on a preheated pizza stone 8 - 10 minutes at 450º.

Spread on the cheeses, then scatter on the pancetta and grape tomatoes. Bake 8 - 10 minutes more at 400º, until the crust is golden brown. Scatter on the parsley, pine nuts and scallions, cut in slices and serve immediately.

Apple, Bacon and Onion Pizza

1/2 recipe pizza dough
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced in thin slices
4 slices lean bacon, preferably cut from a hand-smoked slab
2 T butter
3/4 C dry white wine
1 medium onion, in thin slices
2 T olive oil
2 oz fresh mozzarella, shredded
2 oz Parmigiano Reggiano, shredded
6 leaves fresh sage
2 T fresh rosemary, chopped
3 scallions, chopped

Sauté the bacon for a few minutes on medium low heat, then add the wine and sage, cover and braise on low heat for about 15 minutes. Remove the bacon to a side plate and cut in pieces. Add the butter and apple slices to the pan and sauté over medium low heat, tossing gently with tongs, for about 5 minutes until the apples begin to soften. Remove from heat.

When the dough has finished the second rising, spread the olive oil over the shell and then the onions. Bake 10 minutes on the preheated stone in a 450º oven. Add the cheeses and rosemary and then the apple slices. Scatter on the bacon. Lower the temperature to 400º and bake another 10 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Brush the crust with a little olive oil, scatter on the scallions, slice and serve.

Tequila Chicken Fettuccine

A California Pizza Kitchen copycat recipe from Chef Tom.
Ok, so I now I want to try this at CPK to see if it's as good as mine. My husband thinks this is a keeper.

Ingredients:

1 lb dry (or 2 lbs fresh) spinach fettuccine
1 1/4 pound chicken breast, diced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro reserved for garnish
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno pepper (seeds and veins removed)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (reserve tablespoon for saute )
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons gold tequila
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 medium yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
1/2 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Boil salted water to cook pasta; cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes for dry pasta, approximately 3 minutes for fresh. Pasta may be cooked ahead of time, rinsed and oiled and then reheated in boiling water.

2. Cook 1/3 cup cilantro, garlic and jalapeno in 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Add stock, tequila and lime juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until reduced to a paste like consistency; set aside.

4. Pour soy sauce over diced chicken; set aside for 5 minutes.

5. Meanwhile cook onion and peppers, stirring occasionally, with remaining butter over medium heat. When the vegetables have become limp, add chicken and soy sauce; toss and add reserved tequila/lime paste and cream.

6. Bring the sauce to a boil; boil until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick (about 3 minutes).

7. Toss with drained spinach fettuccine and reserved cilantro.

Pizza Dough

This recipe is courtesy of Tyler Florence
Makes 2 pizzas
Ingredients
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cups 00 flour, plus more for dusting
Directions
In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water; stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.
Turn the mixer on low and add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until all the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium; stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough by squeezing a small amount together: if it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour - 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough gathers into a ball, this should take about 5 minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times; kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn it over to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e. over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour. This is a good time to stick a pizza stone in the oven and preheat them to 500 degrees F.
Once the dough is domed and spongy, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Roll and stretch the dough into a cylinder and divide into 3 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes so it will be easier to roll out.
Roll or pat out a piece of dough into a 12 inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Dust a pizza paddle with flour and slide it under the pizza dough. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and top with your favorite flavors. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp. Repeat with the remaining dough.