Homemade Pizza

 

Total time: 1 day Resting time: 8 hours Active time: 45 minutes

Servings: 2 small pizzas 

Dough ingredients:

4 cups flour (500 grams) -00 flour preferred

1.5 cups water (100 degrees F)

2 tsp kosher or sea salt

1 pinch sugar

1/4 tsp instant yeast (1.5 grams)

Sauce ingredients:

1 can San Marzano tomatoes, 14 oz.

3/4 tsp kosher or sea salt

Toppings:

Handful fresh basil leaves

8 oz fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces

Olive oil for drizzling on top

Other toppings optional (thinly sliced mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, etc)

Instructions:

1. Mix warm water, sugar and yeast in a medium bowl. Allow to rest and become foamy.

2. Measure out flour and salt in a separate large bowl.

3. Add the water mixture to the flour and use your hand to mix the dough. As it comes together start to squeeze the dough. It will be sticky.

4. Let the dough rest 30 seconds and then fold and pinch the dough for one more minute.

5. Set the dough aside to rest for 20-30 minutes.

6. Dust off your counter with flour. The dough should now be relaxed with a smooth skin. Put some oil in a clean bowl and add the dough, turning once so the seam is on the bottom. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid. Allow to rise 90 minutes in a warm place.

7. Prepare a floured cookie sheet.

8. Carefully turn the bowl on its side and use your hand to slide the dough onto the counter.

9. Divide the dough in half and shape into round balls by pinching the bottom like you're closing a purse, turn onto the floured pan and dust the tops with more flour. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours. 

10. Remove from the fridge ~90 minutes before you want to bake the pizza.

11. Preheat the oven and the pizza stone for ~45 minutes at 500 degrees F.

12. Mix the tomatoes and salt in a blender.

13. Flour your work surface and shape the dough by pressing from the middle outward with your hands stacked on top of each other, pressing outward and spinning. Don't touch the rim of the circle.

14. Place onto a well-floured cutting board or pizza peel. Spread the sauce on the dough and add any desired toppings. You may want to wait to add the basil until after baking.

15. Bake for ~8 minutes. I usually turn on the broil setting for the last 5 minutes. Add basil and drizzle with olive oil.