30 Minute Hawaiian Pizza

When I first moved out on my own, I used to order pizza from pizza parlours. It would take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes for pizza delivery on weeknights. On Fridays and Saturdays, it can take upwards of an hour and half for pizza.

After waiting 90 painful minutes for pizza once, I swore that would be the last time I paid $20 for a large pizza and had to wait 90 minutes. It was then that I started buying frozen pizza.

Frozen pizza costs 1/5 of the price of ordering pizza from a pizza parlour and ready in 25 minutes. The only thing was that the crust does not taste very good, but for $4, I can't really complain.

Ever since I discovered how to make pizza at home (the perks of having a peanut and almond allergic child), eating frozen pizza just doesn't cut it for me anymore. One, I have no idea if it would be safe for my little man to eat. Two, after you make fresh pizza at home and see how easy it is, you will never want to go back to either frozen pizza or order pizza again.

This recipe takes only 30 minutes from start to finish and costs a fraction of the frozen pizzas. I would highly recommend making a double batch and freezing an extra pizza or two for later.

Makes: Two 10 inch pizzas

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp (0.25 ounce) active dry yeast
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup warm water (approximately 110 degrees F)
1 tbsp Italian seasoning

2 tbsp vegetable oil, separated

1/2 cup pizza sauce (I used spaghetti sauce)
2 cups diced cooked ham
1-1/2 cups pineapple pieces
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
1. Combine flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a stand mixer.

2. With a dough hook, mix in oil and warm water until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl.

3. Place a cast iron skillet (or baking stone) in the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.

4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

5. Divide dough in half. Pat into a round disk. Using your rolling pin, roll the dough out into a round or stretch the dough out by hand to approximately 10 inches.

6. Using an oven mitt, take the cast iron skillet out of the oven. Add one tablespoon of oil to coat the  cast iron skillet.

7. Transfer the pizza crust to the cast iron skillet. Spread 1/4 cup of the pizza sauce evenly all over the pizza crust. Top with 1 cup of ham, 3/4 cup of pineapple and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings.

8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before eating.

Source: Slightly adapted from Allrecipes