Recipes
Basic Pizza Dough
Pizzabread is a descendant of the early Roman flat breads. Two hints for good crust: (1) Line the oven with unglazed titles to resemble the interior of a wood-burning oven. (2) Preheat the oven and tiles to 450°F for 15 minutes.
1 envelope active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspo(ms)
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons olive oil (basil or rosemary fiavored, if available)
3 1/2 cups bread flour
Semolina or fine cornmeal, as needed
pizza toppings
Dissolve yeast and sugar in water in a large mixing bowL Proof 5 minutes or until foamy. Stir in salt, oil, and 2 cups flour. Mix well. Add 1 1/2 cups flour; stir until a slightly sticky ball of dough forms. Knead 5 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic. Coat with oil; place in a large bowl. Cover; let rise until doubled, about 2 hours. Punch down. If making 2 pies, divide in half. Let dough rest 10 minutes. Flatten dough on pan; gently pull and stretch to fit pan. If dough is resistant, wait 5 minutes; begin again. Work dough to edges. Press to form a small rim. Or, shape dough on a lightly floured surface. Place-on a pizza peel dusted with semolina. Brush with oil. Preheat oven to 450°F. Let dough rest 15 minutes. Add toppings. Place pan on bottom oven rack or heated tiles. If pizza is on a peel, slide onto tiles. Bake 10 niinutes or until crust is crisp and lightly browned.
Tip: Pizza al Quattro Formaggi is a splendid pizza drizzled with olive oil and topped with a blend of four aristocratic Italian cheeses: Parmigiano, fontina, mozzarella and gorgonzola.
Makes dough for 2 round pizzas, 1 1/2-inch by 17-inch oblong pizza or 8 5-inch round pizzas.
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