Details

Category: Pizza Dough

Hits: 1177

Ingredients:
- 1 envelope dry yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup lukewarm water (around 105°F)

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, stir the yeast and sugar into the lukewarm water. Let it sit for about 8 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This step is essential as it activates the yeast and helps the dough rise.

2. In a separate bowl or a food processor, combine 1 3/4 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures that the salt is evenly distributed throughout the dough.

3. Pour the yeast mixture into the bowl with the flour mixture. If you are using a food processor, continue running it until the dough forms a ball, which usually takes around 10-20 seconds. If you prefer to mix by hand, use a sturdy spoon until the dough comes together.

4. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 2 minutes. If the dough feels slightly sticky, lightly dust your fingers and the counter with flour, but try to use as little flour as possible. Kneading helps develop the gluten in the dough and gives it a chewy texture.

5. Roll out the dough by hand to achieve a 12-inch pizza size. You can use a rolling pin or your hands to stretch and shape the dough. The thickness of the crust is a matter of personal preference, but for a thin crust, aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch.

6. Place the rolled-out dough onto a lightly oiled pizza pan. Use your fingertips to press the dough up to the edges, forming a shallow lip. This lip helps contain the toppings and prevents them from sliding off during baking.

7. Now it's time to add your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings. Be creative and experiment with different combinations to suit your taste. Remember that a thin crust pizza requires less topping compared to a thicker crust pizza to maintain its crispiness.

8. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). Once the oven is hot, bake the pizza for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a nice golden brown. Keep an eye on it as baking times may vary depending on your oven.

9. When the pizza is done, the crust should be firm and crispy, giving a satisfying crunch with each bite. Unlike thicker crusts, the thin crust will not be soggy or soft.

Enjoy your homemade thin crust pizza!

Additional Tips:
- For a more flavorful crust, you can add herbs or spices to the dough. Try incorporating dried oregano, basil, or garlic powder into the flour mixture before adding the yeast mixture.
- If you prefer a whole wheat thin crust, you can substitute some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Keep in mind that whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need to adjust the amount of water accordingly.
- If you want to make the dough ahead of time, you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. This allows the flavors to develop further and makes the dough easier to work with.
- Don't overload the pizza with toppings, as this can make the crust soggy. Less is more when it comes to thin crust pizzas.
- Experiment with different sauces and cheeses to create unique flavor combinations. Consider using pesto, barbecue sauce, or even a white sauce instead of the traditional tomato sauce. As for cheeses, mozzarella is a classic choice, but feel free to explore other varieties such as cheddar, feta, or goat cheese.

By following this recipe and incorporating these tips, you'll be able to create a delicious thin crust pizza with a crispy and flavorful base. Enjoy your homemade pizza and let your creativity soar!

Details

Category: Pizza Dough

Hits: 775

Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 package rapid rise yeast
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Optional: 1 tablespoon each of basil, garlic, and oregano.

Directions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Set it aside for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
2. In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and salt. You can also add in the optional basil, garlic, and oregano at this stage to enhance the flavor of the dough.
3. Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft, sticky dough forms. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes, until it is no longer sticky.
4. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size, which usually takes around 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
6. Punch the dough down and place it into a well-oiled 12" pizza pan. Alternatively, you can use a square dish, such as a 10"x10" pan, which is common in Sicilian tradition.
7. Using your hands, spread the dough around the bottom of the pan and 2/3 of the way up the sides. Set it aside and let it rise for an additional 10 minutes.
8. Lightly brush the crust with olive oil and add your desired sauce and toppings. Traditional Sicilian pizzas are usually light on toppings and commonly include tomato, onions, anchovies, and herbs. You can also use Italian cheeses such as Parmesan or mozzarella.
9. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are cooked to your liking.

By following these steps, you'll be able to make a delicious homemade pizza with a flavorful crust. Feel free to experiment with different toppings and seasonings to customize your pizza to your taste. Enjoy your homemade Sicilian-style pizza!

Details

Category: Pizza Dough

Hits: 779

Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey
- 1 1/4 cups of warm water (110 degrees)
- 1 pack (1/4 ounce) of dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups of white flour
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 cup of olive oil

Directions:
1. Dissolve the sugar in the warm water and add the yeast. Stir gently until the yeast is dissolved, about 1 minute. Let it stand until the yeast foams slightly, approximately 5 minutes. This step ensures that the yeast is active and will help the dough rise properly.

2. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of white flour and the salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and add the olive oil, if using. Begin kneading the mixture, gradually adding enough of the remaining 1/4 cup of flour so that the dough is no longer sticky. Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.

3. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in an oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat it with the oil. This prevents the dough from sticking to the bowl as it rises. Let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, which usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the yeast and the room temperature.

4. After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any trapped air. Then, shape the dough into 1 or 2 pieces, depending on your preference. This recipe makes enough dough for two 12-inch pizzas.

5. To shape the dough, you can either use your hands or a rolling pin. Stretch the dough out as necessary to achieve a thin crust. For a lighter crust, let the shaped dough sit for about 30 minutes before constructing the pizza and baking it.

By following these steps, you will have a delicious whole wheat dough ready to be topped with your favorite ingredients and baked to perfection. Enjoy your homemade whole wheat pizza!

Details

Category: Pizza Dough

Hits: 2301

Ingredients:

- 450 g of flour (choose your preferred type)
- 28 g of fresh yeast or 14 g of dried yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 150 ml of tepid water
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing and oiling the tray(s)
- 1 teaspoon of white sugar

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the flour and salt together.
2. Cream the yeast with a little water and let it sit until frothy.
3. Create a well in the flour mixture and add the yeast, olive oil, remaining water. Mix everything together until it forms a dough.
4. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover it with a damp tea towel, and let it rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
6. Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently knock it back with your hand or fist to remove any air pockets. Knead the dough again for a few minutes and shape it into a ball.
7. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 8 (450°F/230°C).
8. Flatten the dough lightly with a rolling pin and place it on a well-oiled rectangular or circular tin.
9. Use your fingers to stretch and pull the dough until it covers the size of the tin. The edges of the dough should be slightly thicker than the middle, but the overall thickness should not exceed ¼" unless you prefer a thick crust.
10. Make small depressions in the dough with your fingers and brush it with oil.
11. Top the dough with your desired pizza toppings and bake it in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
12. After 10 minutes, reduce the oven heat to moderate - Gas Mark 4 (350°F/180°C) - and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is browned and crisp.

Additional Tips:
- You can experiment with different types of flour, such as whole wheat or bread flour, to achieve different textures and flavors in your pizza dough.
- For a quicker rise, you can place the dough in a warm oven (turned off) or a slightly warm area.
- To ensure a crispy crust, preheat your baking tray or pizza stone before placing the dough on it.
- Feel free to get creative with your pizza toppings. Classic options include tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, and meats, but you can also try unique combinations like pesto, roasted garlic, or even dessert pizzas with fruits and chocolate.

By following these steps and adding your own personal touch with toppings, you'll be able to enjoy delicious homemade pizza straight from your oven.