IF YOU MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA YOU MAY TEND, LIKE I DO, TO HAVE EXCESS DOUGH.  THERE ARE 3 WAYS IN WHICH I LIKE TO USE THE EXCESS DOUGH AND AM GOING TO SHARE THEM HERE.

A. BREAD

Unless your Pizza Dough is made with a lot of Olive oIl, the Bread made form it may be somewhat chewy. For those that like that kind of Bread, then there is no problem. Personally, I love my Bread to be chewy. However, if you want it to be softer, work some Olive Oil or softened Butter into the Dough before shaping it.

To make Bread from your leftover Pizza Dough just shape it into a round or oblong loaf. If you have a Bread Shaping Basket you can sprinkle that with flour and place your Bread in it to rise. If not, place it in a greased loaf pan or on a greased and corn-meal sprinkled baking sheet. However, the problem with using a large baking sheet is that the Bread will tend to spread out rather than raise up, thereby making it sort of flat.

Cover the shaped Bread with a clean Dish Towel or Plastic Wrap and place in a warm spot to raise. When it has risen to twice its size, brush with a Beaten Egg and sprinkle with Sesame or Poppy Seeds and/or some Coarse Sea Salt. Bake on the bottom shelf of a 400 degree oven for approximately 25 minutes or until the top is Golden Brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped on.

If your Bread has risen in a Basket, gently turn it over (to release it) onto a greased Baking Pan and bake as in the paragraph directly above.

B.  FRIED DOUGH

Roll you Dough out as thinly as possible, then cut into 4″squares.  

Add Peanut or Vegetable Oil to a depth of 3″ and heat to 350 degrees.  (Test with a Deep Fat Thermometer or a Laser Thermometer.

Fry no more than 4 pieces of Dough at a time;  when they are golden brown remove with a spider or tongs and drain on a cooling rack placed over a jelly roll pan or on paper towels.

Sprinkle with Powdered or Cinnamon Sugar or serve with Whipped Cream and sliced Fruit.

C.  FOCCACIA

My favorite use for leftover PIZZA DOUGH is Foccacia.  Foccacia is a popular flat bread and is simple to make.  You do need to have a decent amount of Dough left over (at least half a pound).

Roll the Dough out to a thickness of at least 1″.  Place on a greased baking sheet and then make indentations with your fingers.  Brush with Olive Oil and then sprinkle with shredded Parmesan Cheese.  If desired, dress with sliced Olives and/or Sun-dried Tomatoes.  (The featured photo shows a Foccacia with an Olive Salad on it)

Bake on the lower shelf of a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on both the top and bottom.