Mastering the Art of Homemade Pizza: Recipes and Tips
Doug Stockman • June 7, 2024
Pizza is more than just a meal—it's an experience. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or a beginner in the kitchen, crafting your own pizza can be incredibly rewarding. Today, we'll explore three delicious pizza recipes that cater to different tastes and skill levels. So, grab your apron and let's dive into the world of homemade pizza! 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
Neapolitan Margherita Pizza
 
 Level: 
Intermediate
 
 Total Time: 
25 minutes
 
 Yield: 
One 10-inch pizza; serves 2 to 4
 
 Ingredients:
 
 - One 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, drained
- Sea salt
- "00" or all-purpose flour, for forming and cooking
- 9 ounces pizza dough, at room temperature (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn into strips
- 2 large fresh basil leaves
Directions:
 
 - Preheat Your Oven: Place a pizza stone on the lower rack, remove the other racks, and preheat the oven to 500°F.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Grind the tomatoes using a food mill or pulse in a food processor until coarsely pureed. Season with sea salt and set aside.
- Form the Dough: Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Flatten the dough using your fingertips, flipping and pressing until it stretches into a 10-inch circle.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread about 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Scatter the mozzarella strips and tear the basil leaves over the top.
- Transfer to the Oven: Lightly flour a pizza peel, then slide the pizza onto the peel. Transfer the pizza onto the hot stone and bake until the crust is charred and the cheese is bubbly, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the pizza with the peel, slice, and serve immediately.
Stuffed Pizza Crust
 
 Level: 
Easy
 
 Total Time: 
1 hour 20 minutes
 
 Yield: 
6 servings
 
 Ingredients:
 
 - One 1-pound loaf store-bought frozen bread dough, thawed and risen
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Large pinch of kosher salt
- Arrabbiata Sauce (recipe follows), cooled
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
- 14 slices pepperoni, chopped
- 10 pieces string cheese, each cut in half
- 1 egg, whisked with 1 teaspoon water
- 4 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
Directions:
 
 - Preheat the Oven: To 475°F.
- Prepare the Dough: Roll and stretch the dough into a 31-inch rope, then flatten it into a 3-inch wide rectangle. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Add Fillings: Spread a thin layer of Arrabbiata Sauce, then sprinkle with Parmesan, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Arrange string cheese pieces in a double line.
- Form the Crust: Fold the dough over the cheese and pinch the edges together to seal. Shape into a circle and place seam-side down on an oiled baking sheet.
- Bake the Pizza: Brush the surface with egg wash and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish: Arrange tomato slices and basil leaves in the center and serve with remaining Arrabbiata Sauce for dipping.
Arrabbiata Sauce:
 
 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- Two 15-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of sugar
- Kosher salt
Cook the Sauce: 
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add red pepper flakes and onions, cook until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly. Deglaze with white wine, reduce by half, then add tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, and salt. Simmer for 30 minutes.
 
 Barbecue Chicken Pan Pizza
 
 Level: 
Easy
 
 Total Time: 
30 minutes
 
 Yield: 
2 to 4 servings
 
 Ingredients:
 
 - 1 rotisserie chicken
- EVOO or vegetable oil
- 1 red onion
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- Cilantro leaves
- Sliced scallions
- Sliced fresh jalapeno peppers
Directions:
 
 - Preheat the Oven: To 525-550°F.
- Prepare the Chicken: Remove skin and bones, shred the meat.
- Cook the Sauce: Heat oil in a skillet, add onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper. Add stock, ketchup, sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and mustard. Add chicken, coat in sauce, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Dough: Roll and stretch the dough to fit a preheated 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Sprinkle with cornmeal, press dough into the skillet, brush with oil, and season.
- Assemble the Pizza: Top with chicken and sauce, then cheeses. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 10-12 minutes.
- Garnish: Drizzle with hot sauce, and top with cilantro, scallions, and jalapenos.
Homemade pizza is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to bring family and friends together. Whether you're creating a classic Margherita, a stuffed crust delight, or a BBQ chicken masterpiece, these recipes will guide you to pizza perfection. Enjoy the process and the mouthwatering results!
 
 For more delicious pizza recipes, check out Food Network's Top Pizza Recipes.
 

The TL;DR (No Cap)                                                      Car insurance isn't some cheugy boomer paperwork. It’s about protecting your present and future bag. It’s what turns a life-altering financial disaster into a manageable Tuesday.                                  Think of your insurance agent as your hype squad. We're here to explain the tea on deductibles, coverage limits, and make sure you're not paying for a policy that’s mid.                                  The Bottom Line: Don’t simp for a cheaper premium that leaves you exposed. Get the right coverage. Secure your whip. Protect your peace. That's true main character energy.                                                                         The Tea on Car Insurance: Why Do I Need to Drop Stacks on Something I(hopefully) Won't Even Use?                                                                             Hey besties. Let's be real. Nobody is stoked about spending their hard-earned cash on car insurance. It feels like one of those things your parents—bless their hearts, they're kind of cheugy—keep telling you is "essential." You’re probably thinking, "Big Yikes, is this even a vibe? Why do I need to drop stacks on something I (hopefully) won't even use?"                                                                    We get it. You're trying to save your bag, maybe finally afford that drip, or just keep that avocado toast habit alive. But hear us out, because don't simp for cheaper premium, because life without car insurance is seriously not the vibe, and honestly? 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The Insurance Slay:                                     If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, you can low-key just file a claim. You pay your deductible (which is usually much smaller than a whole repair bill), and your insurance company steps in and says, "Bet." Suddenly, that Big Yikes situation is just a minor inconvenience, not a financial dumpster fire. You're winning, which is a big fat W.                                                                    💥                         Scenario 2                        :                         It Wasn’t You, It Was Karen                                              Okay, so let’s say you are driving perfectly. You have that rizz behind the wheel. But then, some absolute NPC runs a stop sign and totals your whip.                                                                    What about your car? If the other person has terrible insurance (or, yikes, none), and you only have basic liability, your car is toast, or is it? Would you be getting ghosted by your savings account?                                                                                               The Insurance Slay:                                     If you went for Uninsured(required)/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (which is a total flex), your policy steps up to pay for your stuff (up to the limits) when the other driver is broke or capping about their coverage. You get your ride fixed, you avoid being salty, and you keep the good vibes rolling.                                                                    What if it is your fault? This is where your Liability Coverage is the real MVP. Legally, you need this at a bare minimum. It means if you are at fault for an accident, your insurance pays for the other person's damages (car repairs, medical bills, etc., up to the policy limits) so that they don't drag you in court and take your house money. Do you have the right limits?                                                                    Ready to stop being delulu and get a quote that actually slaps? Hit us up. We'll make it quick, easy, and not at all cheugy. Bet!                                                                                                                              "Yo, need to scoop a quote for car insurance. What's the tea on the cheapest rates for my whip?"                                                                                                                               Our clients live in Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Inman, Duncan, Roebuck, Moore, Lyman and the general upstate.
 

Ugh, My Rate Went Up for a Not-at-Fault Accident?                                                                             It's the ultimate insurance head-scratcher. You're driving along, minding your own business, and then BAM! Some other driver turns your day into a metal-crumpled mess. But wait, it's not your fault! The police report says so, the other driver's insurance company agrees, and you're feeling pretty good about the whole thing. You and the other driver are not hurt and now your car is fixed.                                                                    Then you get your renewal notice. Your heart sinks. Your insurance rate has gone up. But…why? Didn't we just establish that you were the innocent bystander in this whole debacle?                                                                    It's a frustrating, perplexing situation that feels about as fair as getting a parking ticket for a car you don't even own. At Select Source Insurance, we hear this question a lot. We get it, it's maddening. So let's try to demystify this insurance riddle together, one slightly-less-maddening explanation at a time.                                                                                                                                     The Crystal Ball of Risk                                                                                Insurance companies are essentially professional fortune-tellers. They use all sorts of data to predict who is most likely to file a claim in the future. The "riskier" you appear, the more you're likely to pay for insurance.                                                                    A not-at-fault accident, while not your fault in the traditional sense, can still be a blip on their risk radar. Here's what they're seeing:                                                                                 You're on the road more.                        If you're involved in an accident, even if it's not your fault, it indicates you're spending time on the road where these things happen. The more you drive, the higher the chance of being in an accident, even if you are the world's most defensive driver.                                                                                 Driving Habits:                        Even if you're not at fault, an accident can be a sign of unsafe driving habits. Consider this common scenario: you're following a car too closely, and they suddenly hit their brakes. You manage to stop in time, but the car behind you doesn't, resulting in a rear-end collision. While you may not be considered at fault, your decision to tailgate created a domino effect, leading to the crash. This is just one of many examples of how a lack of attention to safe driving practices can contribute to an accident.                                                                                 Stand Alone:                           This one incident, in and of by itself, may not impact the rate that much, but if another incident similar or different it will have more impact on the rate. The insurance company starts to see a pattern.                                                                                                          The "Luck" Factor.                        Some insurance companies use a more statistical approach. They see that you've been in an accident, and their data might show that people who have been involved in one accident, even a not-at-fault one, are slightly more likely to be involved in another. It's not a judgment on your driving skills, but a cold, hard, and somewhat comical statistical reality.                                                                                 The Cost of Doing Business.                        Even in a not-at-fault claim, your insurance company might still have to pay for things. They might cover the rental car while your vehicle is being repaired or towing until they're reimbursed by the other driver's insurance. These costs, however small, are still part of a claim, and claims affect rates.                                                                                 The Solution:                        We Can Help!                                                                    So, what's an innocent driver to do? The good news is, you're not stuck. This is precisely where being an independent insurance agency like Select Source Insurance makes all the difference.                                                                    We aren't tied to a single insurance company. We work with a whole bunch of them! If one company decides to punish you for being a victim of circumstance, we can shop around for you. We can find a different insurance company that has a more favorable view of not-at-fault accidents.                                                                    Think of us as your personal insurance matchmaker. We know which companies are more forgiving and which ones are more likely to raise rates for even the smallest claim. Our job is to find you a policy that offers great coverage without making you pay for someone else's mistake.                                                                                 The Bottom Line                                              Yes, it's a bit ridiculous that your rates can go up for a not-at-fault accident. It's one of those bizarre insurance quirks that makes you want to shake your fist at the sky. But it's not a dead end.                                                                    Give us a call. We'll do the shopping and negotiating for you. Let us find you a rate that reflects your driving, not someone else's.
 

Getting your Spartanburg vehicle tax refund: A guide from Select Source Insurance.                                                      Did you sell, trade, or wreck (as in a total loss) your vehicle? Did your vehicle get repossessed, or have you moved out of state? You may be eligible for a refund!                                                                    We understand that navigating property taxes can be confusing, especially when life events like selling or wrecking a car come into play. Many Spartanburg residents don't realize they might be eligible for a refund on their vehicle property taxes in such situations.                         At Select Source Insurance, we're here to help clarify the process and ensure you get the refund you deserve.                                                                                                                      When are you eligible for a refund?                                                                                Spartanburg County offers vehicle property tax refunds in several instances:                                                                                               Selling, Trading, Wrecking, or Repossessing a Vehicle                                        Returning a Leased Vehicle                                        Moving Out of State before your vehicle tag decal expires                                        Transferring a tag does to another vehicle does not qualify                                                                        What documentation do you need?                                                                                The required documentation varies depending on why you are seeking a refund. The Spartanburg County Auditor's Office may require:                                                                                               a Bill of Sale                                        Trade-in agreement                                        A statement from your insurance or repossession company                                        Documentation from the leasing company                                        Your new out-of-state registration.                                                                                                          How to apply for your refund?                                                                                You can apply:                                                                                               in person                                        by email: countyauditor@spartanburgcounty.org.                                        by mail: to the Spartanburg County Auditor's office at 366 N. Church Street, Suite 200, Spartanburg, SC 29303                                                           We're here to help                                                                    Understanding vehicle property tax refunds can be complex. As your local independent insurance agency, we are here to assist with your car insurance needs and related questions.                                                                    Here is a link:                                                      Spartanburg County Tax Refunds                                                                                                                       Also, did you know you can turn a vehicle tag in online? Yes, it is called a virtual tag turn in or decommissioning a tag. Here is the link:                                                                                                              Decommission a Tag                                                                                                           If you have questions about eligibility or need help with documentation, contact Spartanburg County.                                                                                     Informational purposes only. Check with the appropriate government entity for actual process.
 
