Florence Fabricants Basic Pizza Dough Food

BASIC PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Whisk 1 1/3 cups warm water (105 degrees F) and the sugar in a bowl; sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil.
• Whisk the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture. Gradually stir with a wooden spoon to make a rough dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, dusting with more flour if necessary. Form into 2 balls. Brush 2 large bowls with olive oil, add a ball of dough to each and turn to coat with the oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Roll out and top as desired, or wrap in plastic wrap and freeze up to 1 month.

PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water; stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Turn the mixer on low and add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until all the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium; stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough by squeezing a small amount together: if it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour - 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough gathers into a ball, this should take about 5 minutes.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times; kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn it over to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e. over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour. This is a good time to stick a pizza stone in the oven and preheat them to 500 degrees F.
• Once the dough is domed and spongy, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Roll and stretch the dough into a cylinder and divide into 3 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes so it will be easier to roll out.
• Roll or pat out a piece of dough into a 12 inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Dust a pizza paddle with flour and slide it under the pizza dough. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and top with your favorite flavors. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp. Repeat with the remaining dough.

FRESH PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes.
• If you're using a stand mixer, combine the salt and flour to the bowl and pulse a few times to mix. Add the yeast mixture, at the lowest speed, until the flour incorporates. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and mix until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and pulse a few more times. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic.
• If you're making the dough by hand, add the yeast mixture to a large bowl and stir in the salt and the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then begin stirring in the flour. When the mixture becomes too stiff to stir with a spoon, knead in the rest of the flour by hand, adding just enough so that the dough is soft but not too sticky. As you work, squeeze a small amount of dough together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.

FLORENCE FABRICANT'S BASIC PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in water and set aside for about 10 minutes.
• Combine 3 1/4 cups of the flour and the salt in a bowl, add the yeast mixture and the olive oil and mix until the ingredients cling together and can be gathered into a firm ball of dough.
• Spread the remaining quarter-cup of flour on a board or work surface, place the ball of dough on the flour and knead, incorporating the flour from the board until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and set aside to rise until doubled, about one hour. Punch dough down. Dough is now ready to use. It may be stored, wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator overnight if necessary. It may also be frozen but should be thoroughly defrosted before using.

PIZZAPIAZZA DEEP DISH SPINACH PIZZA

Steps:

• Place spinach in a large saucepan, cover and cook over medium heat three to four minutes, until the spinach wilts. Remove from heat, place in a colander, rinse spinach under cold water and then squeeze dry with the hands. Chop spinach.
• Heat oil in a skillet, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add spinach and mix with a fork for a minute or so. Remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Lightly oil a 9-inch round baking pan 1 1/2 inches deep. Roll dough into a 12-inch circle and fit into pan. Dough should just cover the bottom and sides of the pan with no overhang.
• Mix cheeses together and spread 1 1/2 cups of the cheese mixture in the pan. Spread the tomato sauce over the cheese, covering the cheese completely. Spread spinach mixture over the tomato sauce, breaking up any clumps with your hands or a fork.
• Arrange alternating slices of tomato and basil leaves around the edge of the pan over the spinach. Fill the center with tomato slices. Then arrange alternating slices of green and red pepper in a spoke fashion over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven 25 minutes, until cheese and crust are golden and filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before cutting.

PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
• Lightly oil a 12-inch pizza pan and dust it with cornmeal.
• Roll and stretch the dough to fit pan, leaving a thicker rim along the edge. Spread dough evenly with pesto.
• Mix cheeses together and sprinkle evenly over the pesto. Place pizza on bottom shelf of preheated oven and bake until the crust has browned and the cheese is bubbly and just turning golden, about 20 minutes. Serve at once.

PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• It's easiest to make this in a standing mixer with a dough hook (otherwise mix it in a bowl and knead on your work surface). Put the flour and salt in the bowl and mix the yeast into the water. It's always a good idea to wait 5 mins before using the liquid to see if the yeast is working - little bits will start to rise to the top and you'll know it's active.
• Turn on the motor and pour in the liquid. Keep the speed on medium-high and it should come together as a ball. If the bottom is still sticking, tip in 1-2 tbsp of flour. Knead for 5-7 mins until the dough is shiny and it springs back when you press your finger into it. (If kneading by hand, it will take you about 10 mins.) Try not to add too much flour if you can. This is a slightly sticky dough, but that keeps it light and it rises beautifully.
• Use oiled hands to remove the dough from the hook and bowl. Oil another bowl and place the dough in it. Turn it around so that it's lightly coated in the oil. Cover tightly with cling film and then a tea towel. Place in a draught-free area that's warm and leave until the dough has doubled in size. If it's a hot day, it should only take 2 hrs to rise, but it could take 4 hrs if it's cold. (If you don't plan to use the dough for a day or two, place it in the fridge straight away; take it out 3-4 hrs before using. Punch it down first and bring it together on a floured surface.)
• Divide the dough into 2 pieces for big pizzas or 4 for plate-sized ones, then shape into balls (see Shaping the dough in tips, below) - dust them in flour as they will be sticky. Keep them covered with a tea towel or cling film while you prepare the toppings. (you can also freeze them in sealed bags. Just thaw in the fridge on the day, then bring to room temperature 3 hrs before using.)
• To shape the dough: If you want to get air pockets and a light but crisp dough, then don't use a rolling pin. It flattens and pops the air bubbles. (Two days in the fridge will produce the most air bubbles - take it out three to four hours before using.) If your dough is at room temperature, you can use your fingers to gently stretch the dough out. Once it's about 16cm, place the disc over the tops of your hands (not palm side) and use them to stretch it further, up to about 25cm. You can start pressing out the other discs, then wait to do the final bit when you're ready to cook. Once you've mastered stretching the dough out, you can experiment with other shapes: rectangles, rounds or squares all look authentic.
• To cook the pizza: An outdoor gas barbecue is best for controlling the temperature, but charcoal will give your pizza a more authentic, smoky flavour. For gas, turn the flames down to medium-low so that the bottom of the pizza doesn't burn. When cooking on a charcoal barbecue, let the coals turn grey before you pop on the pizza.
• Place the pizza on a floured baking sheet (with no edge) or a pizza peel - this is a flat pizza paddle with a long handle, which makes it easier to get the dough on and off the grill. The flour will provide the 'wheels' for it to slide onto the grill - don't use oil as it sticks more and won't transfer as well.
• Make sure the grill is hot and the flames have died back if cooking on charcoal. Slide the dough onto the grill, close the lid (if your barbecue has one) and give it three to four minutes. The dough will puff up; it's ready when the bottom has light brown stripes. Use tongs to pull the dough off and turn it upside down.
• Assemble the pizza of your choice - see 'Goes well with', right, for topping suggestions. Remember that less is more, as the dough will stay crisper and the toppings will cook better.
• Place the pizza back on the grill, uncooked-side down, and shut the lid. Give it another three to four minutes, then remove when the cheese is melted and the toppings are hot.

BASIC FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Combine the yeast and sugar in a bowl. Stir in one-third cup of the water and set aside in a warm place for about five minutes, until the mixture begins to look frothy.
• Add the remaining water, half the salt, the pepper and three tablespoons of the oil to the bowl. Stir in two cups of the flour.
• Add another one-half cup of the flour, or as much as is necessary to form a soft dough that can be gathered together. Transfer the dough to a well-floured work surface and knead about eight minutes, adding flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking.
• Use a half tablespoon of the remaining oil to oil a bowl. Place dough in bowl, turn it to oil all sides, cover it lightly and set aside to rise until it has doubled, about one hour.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
• Oil a nine-inch-square baking dish with some of the remaining oil. Roll or stretch the dough to fit in the baking dish. Prick it all over, then brush it with the remaining oil and sprinkle it with the remaining salt.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the focaccia is browned on the bottom and lightly browned on top. Cut into squares and serve warm or cooled to room temperature.

ANNA TERESA CALLEN'S PIZZA ALLA COZZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Roll or stretch dough to fit a lightly oiled 12-inch pizza pan.
• Mix tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of the oil, the oregano, salt and garlic. Spread over dough.
• Place pizza on bottom shelf of preheated oven and bake from 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned but not quite finished.
• While the pizza is baking, steam mussels in wine or water in a covered saucepan until they just open. Shuck them and toss them in a bowl with remaining half tablespoon of oil, the lemon juice, parsley and pepper.
• After the pizza has baked from 15 to 20 minutes as in step 4, remove it from the oven and arrange the seasoned mussels attractively over the top. Return pizza to oven to finish baking, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Serve at once.

TYLER FLORENCE PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water; stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Turn the mixer on low and add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until all the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium; stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough by squeezing a small amount together: if it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour - 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough gathers into a ball, this should take about 5 minutes.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times; kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn it over to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e. over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour. This is a good time to stick a pizza stone in the oven and preheat them to 500 degrees F.
• Once the dough is domed and spongy, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Roll and stretch the dough into a cylinder and divide into 3 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes so it will be easier to roll out.
• Roll or pat out a piece of dough into a 12 inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Dust a pizza paddle with flour and slide it under the pizza dough. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and top with your favorite flavors. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp. Repeat with the remaining dough.