My Favorite Pizza and A $50 Novica Giveaway! (Giveaway Closed)

Today we are talking pizza. I love pizza of all kinds, thin crust, thick crust, chewy crust, deep dish, minimal toppings, loaded with toppings, meat and cheese, veggies, frozen pizzas, gourmet pizzas, hot and cold. I do not discriminate against pizza, but please hold the onions! I've been making this pizza crust for the last 5  years and it is delicious. It's crispy, yet soft and chewy and flavorful. And you can top it with whatever you want. 

My favorite pizza lately is BBQ chicken pizza with bacon and pineapple. Hayden can be picky sometimes about meals but he's always a fan of this when I make it. I use BBQ sauce instead of marinara, then top with cooked and cubed, chicken breasts, crumbled bacon, fresh pineapple, garlic and cheese. Mr. H never used to like sweet and savory together in a pizza but he really likes this one. I also made a cheese and tomato pizza with dried oregano and garlic. 

I've been making pizza for awhile but never had a pizza board to put it on until now. Novica asked if I'd like to host a giveaway on my blog and since I love their products and what they're all about I said yes! I chose this beautiful handcrafted teak wood pizza board titled "Chef's Delight". Novica is unique in that they offer handmade, hand crafted artisan goods from all over the world in one place. When you chose an item, you get to learn about the person who made it and where they are from. Novica not only brings all these artists together and gives them the opportunity to share their products with the world, but they make the buying experience more personal. My pizza board was made by Teo Hernandez in Guatemala and came wrapped in printed craft paper with a note and gift card as well as a ribbon and a miniature doll at no additional charge. And the shipping rates are so reasonable and fast! 

It's nice to know that you can shop online for a unique gift that isn't manufactured in bulk and sold at box stores everywhere. By purchasing from Novica, you're giving these artists across the globe a chance to support their families while expanding their business. Also because everything is hand made, each is a little bit different and special in it's own way. Novica doesn't just have teak cutting boards, they also have beautiful onyx earrings, silver bands, gifts for men, furniture, gorgeous embroidered shawls, and tons colorful glassware. I could easily spend hours on Novica making my wish list. 

Rosemary Pizza Crust

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• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups bread flour, plus more for pressing the dough out
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• olive or vegetable oil, for oiling the bowl

In a large bowl, whisk the yeast and sugar with 1/4 cup of the flour. Stir in 1/4 cup of the warm water and let stand until slightly foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the rosemary, salt, pepper and the remaining 1 3/4 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of water; stir until a dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a draft-free spot (the microwave) until billowy and doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450°. Place a pizza stone or pan in the bottom of the oven, and preheat for at least 30 minutes.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Press and stretch the dough into a 13-inch round then transfer to the preheated pizza pan. Be careful not to touch the pan because it will be HOT.

Place your sauce and desired toppings on the dough then transfer the pizza into the oven until the crust is golden brown and the cheese melts; about 15-18 minutes.

NOTE: Pizza stones will heat faster and will create a crispier crust while metal pans may take longer to brown and the crust will be slightly softer.

Now for the $50 gift voucher giveaway from Novica!

Novica provided me a $50 credit to purchase and review whatever I wanted and an additional $50 credit to giveaway to one of Lick The Bowl Good's loyal readers. 

You have 3 chances to enter this giveaway: 

1. Visit Novica's website and come back here and tell me what is on your wishlist. (mandatory entry)

2. Follow Novica on Facebook

3. Follow Lick The Bowl Good on Facebook. 

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Giveaway closes Friday, September 6th at 11:59pm. A winner will be announced on Saturday, September 7, 2013.

Good luck and happy shopping!