Prepare by washing and chopping all ingredients before your date arrives.
If you are a timid dater or a timid cook, the idea of making dinner at home for a first date might seem a little intimidating. However, with a little preparation and the right ingredients, you can turn your home into a romantic pizzeria, where you can impress with deceptively painless homemade custom pizza. Do most of the work ahead of time, so you can focus on your date. If making homemade crust is too advanced or you don't have time (16 hours) to let it rest, use pre-made pizza dough or pita bread. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
The Day Before the Date: Making the Crust
1. Pour the warm water into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle in the yeast and stir lightly. Let the mixture stand for five minutes.
2. Stir in the measured salt and cold water. Add flour 1 cup at a time and stir it until all the flour is absorbed.
3. The dough should look solid and elastic, like the ball pictured.
Scrape the dough from the bowl onto a floured surface like a cutting board, bread cloth or very clean counter top. Bring all of the dough together in one ball and knead it with your hands until the dough is elastic and well blended.
4. Split the dough in half. Roll each half into a tight ball. Coat the balls with olive oil and put them in a large bowl, covered, in the fridge for at least 16 hours. Each ball will make one 12 to 14-inch pizza.
One Hour Before the Date: Preparation
5. Remove the dough from the fridge one hour prior to using. While you are waiting for it to come to room temperature, wash and chop your vegetables and cook any meat you will use. This will make you look organized as well as make the pizza making process go more smoothly. If possible, find out beforehand what your date's favorite toppings are.
6. A dirty kitchen makes a horrible first impression.
Wash any dishes you've used before your date arrives, so your kitchen looks clean.
7. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit 15 minutes before you plan to bake.
The Date: Making Pizza Together
8. Coat your baking or pizza dish lightly with oil. If you have a baking stone, follow the manufacturer's directions for prepping it. Rolling out the dough and topping the pizza will be an opportunity to bond with your date. Keeping your hands busy will relieve some of the first date awkwardness and stimulate conversation.
9. Put one dough ball on the prepared baking dish. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the dough ball into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick crust in the shape of your pan. If you do not have a rolling pin, you can use an empty, clean wine bottle or stretch and push the dough into shape with your fingers. If the conversation comes to a lull, you can ask about your date's experience with baking or cooking.
10. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the entire surface of dough. Top with the desired amount of shredded mozzarella and toppings such as cooked meats, vegetables, and different cheeses for added flavor. If your date likes topping the pizza, you can let her put toppings on yours, too.
11. Roll the edges of the dough up like the pizza pictured.
Create the crust by folding the edges over 1/2 inch, in towards the center of the pizza. Pinch and push down the raised crust, making indents every other inch or so to seal it together.
12. Place the pizza in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until crust is golden and the cheese is browning and bubbly. Set a timer so you can pay attention to your date and not the clock. Many people -- especially those who like to cook -- find kitchens to be casual and comfortable; if your date is more relaxed, chances are the evening will be more positive.
13. Let the pizza rest for 10 minutes before serving. While the pizza is cooling, you and your date can set the table together. This will make your date feel useful and give both of you a sense of closeness.
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