Sunday, November 11, 2012

Recipe for Herbed Pizza Dough


Yield: 2 medium pizza crusts
Time: 65 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 pkgs dry yeast (each 1/4 oz)
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (115 degrees)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups AP flour plus more for shaping
  • 1 1/2 cups semolina flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 TBSP EVOO (plus more for brushing dough before adding toppings)
  • 2 TBSP mixed Italian dry herbs
  • Cornmeal for sprinkling on pizza peel if using
  • Pizza toppings of your choice

Method:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in a mixing bowl (I used my stand mixer).
  • Add the sugar and AP flour and beat vigorously for 1 minute (The dough is like cake batter at this point).
  • Heat oven to 150 degrees and place mixing bowl on shelf partially pulled out, with oven door open.  Leave to rise uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, stir the dough down and add semolina flour, salt, EVOO and herbs.
  • Preheat oven to 500 degrees with pizza stone inside.
  • Using dough hook on mixer, knead for 8 minutes, adding more AP flour as needed to prevent sticking and so a dough ball forms (I had to add about 1/3 cup).
  • Turn dough out on floured surface and divide and shape into 2 balls.
  • Wrap one ball in oiled plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag in freezer.
  • Shape other ball into about a 13 inch crust, place on cornmeal dusted peel, brush with EVOO then add sauce and toppings.
  • Cook on pizza stone for 12-15 minutes until crust is nicely browned and toppings are cooked to your liking.