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4/04/2009

Pizza Dough


I used to have a neighbor that made the most AMAZING pizza dough. She would make pizza every Friday night for her family and she would make extra for neighbors. It was so good. I mean you can't imagine pizza tasting that good, good!

And then she moved away.

So I started buying my pizza dough from Fresh & Easy. It costs about a $1 and it is pretty good stuff. White and wheat. And honestly, running to the store is a lot less work than making pizza dough from scratch.

But this weekend I am going to be crazy. I am going to attempt to make my own dough. I wish I had my neighbors recipe. She actually gave it out to a few people, so I still hope that I might be able to hunt it down. But until then I had to find a recipe of my own. After some searching I think I have decided on this one from Smitten Kitchen.

Why that recipe? It made the list because it is from Smitten Kitchen. Love that blog. But then today I found an old post on Joy the Baker (love her!) and she was talking about a magical pizza crust. Turns out it was from Smitten Kitchen. So I was sold.

I will give it a shot and let you all know how it turns out. Or you could be brave and do it first. But really, no bravery needed. Those two ladies are amazing and if they like it, it has to be good!


Makes enough for one small, thin crust pizza. Double it if you like your pizza thick and bready.

images from Joy the Baker

What you need:
1 1/2 cups flour (can replace up to half of this with whole wheat flour)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water (may need up to 1 or 2 tablespoons more)
1 tablespoon olive oil

What you do:
Stir dry ingredients, including yeast, in a large bowl. Add water and olive oil, stirring mixture into as close to a ball as you can. Dump all clumps and floury bits onto a lightly floured surface and knead everything into a homogeneous ball.
If you are finding this step difficult, one of the best tricks I picked up from my bread-making class is to simply pause. Leave the dough in a lightly-floured spot, put the empty bowl upside-down on top of it and come back in 2 to 5 minutes, at which point you will find the dough a lot more lovable.
Knead it for just a minute or two. Lightly oil the bowl (a spritz of cooking spray perfectly does the trick) where you had mixed it — one-bowl recipe! — dump the dough in, turn it over so all sides are coated, cover it in plastic wrap and leave it undisturbed for an hour or two, until it has doubled in size.
Dump it back on the floured counter (yup, I leave mine messy), and gently press the air out of the dough with the palm of your hands. Fold the piece into an approximate ball shape, and let it sit under that plastic wrap for 20 more minutes.
Sprinkle a pizza stone or baking sheet with cornmeal and preheat your oven to its top temperature. Roll out the pizza, toss on whatever topping and seasonings you like. (I always err on the side of skimpy with toppings so to not weight down the dough too much, or if I have multiple toppings, to keep them very thinly sliced.)
Bake it for about 10 minutes until it’s lightly blistered and impossible to resist.

12 comments:

MamabearMills said...

So you make deliveries right!??!? Thanks!

Katie said...

Perfect timing! I just bought a pizza stone from Pampered Chef and have been on the dough recipe hunt myself. I tried the King Arthur Flour recipe but it was waaaay too much work. This one looks right up my alley. I will report as well! Thanks!

Betty said...

I am so going to try this recipe. I've been wanting to make a pizza. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

Cindy said...

Pizza dough is a breeze to make, I let the bread machine do it sometimes. But compared to other things, this is so easy! I have a great recipe, but will also try this one, thanks!!

Insanitykim said...

My husband makes pizza dough, and we have pizza every Sunday; we have a pizza stone and a pizza peel and that REALLY makes the difference! We have had people tell us it's the best pizza they have EVER had and it's such a treat to have hubby cook such a great meal once a week! We have made several different kinds (toppings), and each one is amazing! He puts just enough wheat flour in to make it more nutritious but just as yummy. And it is SO much cheaper than take out!!

Renee said...

I've been looking for a good pizza crust recipe! Thanks.

Lora @ my blessed life said...

Looks yummy! We love to make pizza. Lately when I make the dough I divide it into individual portions and we have *make-your-own-pizza* nights. The kiddos love getting to pat out their own dough and then top it. If you decide to keep looking for a recipe, I have a wonderful tried-n-true one listed on my side bar:)

Lisa Loo said...

I have been looking for a crust recipe--mine isn't working--excited to tyr this---is that a picture of your actual pizza??!! mmmmmmm

tammy said...

Love F&E's pizza dough. My friend freezes it so she always has some on hand. I haven't tried that yet. I also make a dough in my bread machine that is really good.....when I bother to pull that thing out.

Emily said...

I might have that recipe you are looking for. I will start the hunt and let you know. It is yummy!!!

Marie said...

This is almost the exact same recipe that I use, but I add in a smidge of sugar as well and I always use 3/4 c. whole wheat flour.

Unknown said...

sounds yummy! did you make it yet?