Soo I have tried to make pizza so many times, I've used the Kitchen Aid blender- dough hook. I have kneaded it by hand, by wooden spoon etc. I have tried it all!! I have always wished I just called delivery...because they all fall miserably short. Until today when my fabulous friend Margaret came and taught me how the Italians make their pizza....perfectly.
Pizza Sauce: In a saucepan over med/low heat Simmer, 1 T olive oil (add garlic and basil if you like - it will infuse into warm oil) then add: Strained Italian Tomato (We used Pomi from wholefoods-it's in a box) Salt and Pepper to taste Let simmer while dough rises.
Pizza Dough: Start by activating the yeast in 1 C of water (be sure it's the correct temp) Pour 2 cups of flour onto clean countertop, make a volcano shape {calling it Mt. Vesuvius is optional} in the hole add: 1 t salt, 1 t sugar, 2T olive oil, and start mixing by swirling your finger in the center or the volcano (now you have a tornado of flour, I believe we aren't in Kansas anymore {yes Marg that was for you and R}- again optional but fun when making this with the kids). Keep your volcano center, and begin adding (a little at a time) the water with the activated yeast. swirl away...until is it mixed and very likely to be sticky, add very small amounts of flour to your hands until the dough quits sticking to you...swirl....and knead away. Add lots of air into your dough. Warning: if it's hard you have either over kneaded or added too much flour both mistakes don't make good pizza dough- believe me I know.
Once the dough is elastic and soft. Place 1 T olive oil in bowl to rise be sure to coat the sides, so the sticky dough doesn't stick. Cover the dough on all sides with the oil and cover with a wet tea towel. We put it in an oven that had been warmed a bit (about 100 degrees) to rise. It took about 30 min.
Heat oven to 550 (yes you read it right....)
Prepare your toppings: we used REAL parmesan cheese (finely shredded from the block), 3 Italian Cheese (shredded), sausage (cook it), and mozzarella pearls...these babies are AMAZING!!!
After the Pizza dough has doubled....flip the bowl over onto your hand and gently toss your dough from hand to hand, until it stretches a bit but make sure you keep the light fluffiness of the dough. Grease you pan or stone and stretch the dough to fit the pan. Add Sauce. Singing an Italian song about pizza is optional but oo so fun! That's Amore...perfect song for pizza making Add parmesan, toppings, and top it with the 3 Italian Shredded Cheese. Pop the pizza into the oven for 4 min. Be sure to keep the dough Blonde...light dough. Don't over cook. Take out and add the soft mozzarella cheese pearls. Cook 1 min - until melted.
WARNING: do not burn the top of your mouth! I know it looks too good to wait!
This is necessary to keep the skin on the roof of your mouth. Enjoy!
BONISSIMO!!! MOTO BONO!
Thank you Marg! You are my favorite partner in crime in the kitchen!
Also Naughty Iced Coffee: 1 C cold coffee, 1/4 C ColdStone Cream and Ice.
Really good on a hot day when you are weeding thistles from your yard.
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