As mentioned before, the dough needs to rise for about an hour. What I had not mentioned is that I take the bowl out of the oven and set on the counter after 30 minutes. Because at this point I place my baking stone on the middle rack and turn up the oven to 500 degrees. And to ensure the best baking conditions, once the temp as been reached, let the stone heat up for at least 20 minutes at this temp before cooking your pizza. Oh and you might want to turn off your smoke detector... ours seems to go off and the neighbors think we are on fire!
I first prep whatever toppings we happen to want that day....
While someday I will want to experiment with pizza sauce, I usually just buy a jar - this one from Trader Joe's is pretty good
Next, prep your pizza paddle by placing a couple tablespoons of corn meal on it (this helps the dough slide on the stone without getting stuck)
Take half the dough from the last post and place on a floured board
Start working with hands to make it into a circle - do not use a rolling pin... it's ok if it is not shaped exactly.
Notice below the small pockets of bubbles... this give the crust a nice texture. Also try to make the center thinner and the outer edge a little thicker - this will make a nice "crusty" crust
Before adding the toppings you will need to move the dough to the paddle
Start with the sauce
Add toppings and cheese (I use a fresh type mozzarella)
I give my paddle a little shake at this point to make sure it will slide off onto the stone ok. Then slide on the hot stone.
I bake for about 12-13 minutes until it looks like below - melted cheese, browned crust.
Notice how nice the outer crust is and you will have to take my word - it is the best crust ever!
I also love "dough" bubbles
The key to a good dough is below - you want air bubbles to give it a nice texture.
I hope you enjoyed Pizza Making 101! What toppings would you like? The DIY guys loves anchovies but I won't do those :-)
>Frequent Party Stops
I am full and still drooling reading your post ! Yummy !
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower and now craving PIZZA! That looks delicious!
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Great tips. We do love pizza at our house and make it often. Yours looks so yummy.
ReplyDeleteI make pizza sauce. It is a no cook recipe, I can make it in minutes. It originates from Americas Test Kitchen and it is perfect. Here is the recipe:
http://cgharris.blogspot.com/2011/05/quick-and-easy-pizza-sauce.html
Deb, this is a great Pizza Topping to go with your awesome Pizza Dough. Thank you so much for celebrating TWO YEARS with FULL PLATE THURSDAY, I appreciate your visit!
ReplyDeleteCome Back Soon
Miz Helen
I love pizza, but it has been a long time since I've made it at home. I'll have to get my pizza stone out now!
ReplyDeleteWould love to have you come and link this to my new linky party. Best wishes, Linda
ReplyDeletehttp://twosucculentsisters.blogspot.com/2013/01/finally-i-am-joining-our-party-giving.html
Now that is my kind of pizza. It looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! We love making our own pizzas - so much cheaper and it tastes so good fresh from the oven!
ReplyDeleteLooks yummy. Great tutorial. Thank you so much for the work. Much time put into great posts. I was always afraid to wrestle the dough making.
ReplyDeleteWe may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
http://simpleesue.com/soup-kitchen-recipes-italian-wedding-soup
I loveee homemade pizza! (We had some last night actually!) Found you from Pint Sized Baker, would love for you to come link up at my Pin It Thursday party http://www.sweetbellaroos.com/2013/01/17/pin-it-thursday-18/
ReplyDeleteVery good tutorial! I laughed at the "turn off the fire detector" -- in our house that is sometimes known as the dinner bell! Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday!
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