Hand Tossed Pizza Dough Food

HAND TOSSED PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl or the bowl of a standing mixer with the dough hook attached. Combine the ingredients until a dough forms. If mixing by hand, turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If using a mixer, continue kneading on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a large bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 30 minutes to an hour, or until doubled. I do not oil the bowl just cover it with a bowl bonnet.
• When the dough is doubled, turn it onto a flour surface and lightly punch down. Divide it into 3 equal pieces. I only divide into 2 we like a thick large crust. Shape each piece into a smooth ball. Place on a dry towel or piece of parchment, cover with another dry towel and allow to rise for an hour. I use flour sack towels that are 100% cotton and lint free I found these at wal-mart 5 for like 5 bucks and they are great for baking!!
• If using a pizza stone, preheat the oven to 550 degrees. If not, preheat the oven once you begin shaping the pizza. I use a pizza stone for everything lol
• When the balls have just about doubled in size, shape the pizza. Flatten one ball into a disk and i use a rolling pin to get the thickness I want. you can hand press if you prefer but i find it is easier to use the rolling pin
• Place shaped pizza on parchment . Drizzle olive oil around the edge and smear with fingertips and top with your favorite toppings
• Using a cookie sheet or pizza peel, transfer the parchment and pizza to the oven. Bake for one minute, then use a cookie sheet or peel to lift the edge of the pizza and remove the parchment. Continue baking for 5 to 7 minutes.

BASIC PIZZA DOUGH - BY HAND METHOD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine yeast with water, olive oil, salt and stir well to proof. After 5 minutes, add half of the flour and mix well to thoroughly incorporate. Add all remaining flour except 1/2 cup and mix well with your hands. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead dough for at least 5 and up to 7 minutes, adding enough additional flour as necessary to form a smooth and elastic dough. Dough should not be sticky. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled 2 or 3 quart bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, usually at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. and if you have one, place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven.
• Divide dough into 2 portions (for 2 (12-inch) pizzas) and form into balls. (See note below for calzones.) Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Let rest for 15 minutes, then transfer to a lightly floured surface, shape as desired and roll out to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Transfer dough to a pizza peel and top with toppings of choice. Transfer to the preheated pizza stone and bake until crispy and golden brown, usually 12 to 18 minutes (depending on the toppings). Remove from the oven with a metal peel or spatula and serve immediately.
• Note: For calzones, divide the dough into 4 equal portions and form into 4 balls. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Let rest for 15 minutes, then transfer to a lightly floured surface and roll out into 4 6-inch circles. Place filling of choice in the center of one side of each circle, then fold dough over filling to meet edges of filled side. Crimp edges with a fork or your fingers, then cut a small slit in the top of the calzone to allow steam to escape while cooking. Cook on a preheated pizza stone in a preheated 475 degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until well-browned. Remove from the oven with a metal peel or spatula and serve immediately.

NEW YORK-STYLE PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, using a fork, stir the yeast into the lukewarm water. Set aside until the yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes.
• In another small bowl, combine the cold water, sugar, salt and olive oil (and optional italian seasoning). Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt.
• TO MAKE THE DOUGH BY HAND: Place 5 1/4 cups of the flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and stir in the yeast mixture along with the cold-water mixture. Using a wooden spoon, mix the dough, incorporating as much of the flour as possible.
• Turn the dough out on a lightly floured work surface and knead until soft and elastic, 10 to 12 minutes. It will still be a little sticky but shouldn't stick to your hands. Add only a minimum amount of flour to the work surface to keep the dough from sticking.
• TO MAKE THE DOUGH USING A STAND MIXER: Fit a heavy-duty stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Place 5 1/4 cups of the flour in the mixer bowl. Add the yeast mixture along with the cold-water mixture and mix on low speed until the flour is incorporated and the dough gathers together to form a coarse ball, about 4 minutes. Let rest for 2 minutes.
• Mix on low speed until the dough is smooth and not sticky, about 6 minutes longer. (If the dough begins to climb up the dough hook toward the motor drive, stop the mixer and push it down. If the machine labors and the motor feels hot, stop and wait a few minutes for the motor to cool down.) Turn the dough out on a well-floured work surface and knead for a minute or two until it forms a smooth ball, adding up to 1/4 cup of additional flour, if necessary.
• PREP DOUGH FOR RISING: Cut the dough into thirds to form three even portions, each weighing 15 ounces. With floured hands, pick up one portion of dough and pull the opposite edges together, wrapping them underneath toward the center to form a tight, smooth ball. Pinch to seal. Repeat with the other two portions. Place each portion in plastic grocery bag, twist the top together and fold excess underneath. be sure to allow enough room for the dough to double in size in each bag.
• Refrigerate for at least 10 hours or up to 2 days. Remove from the refrigerator 1 hour before using to allow the dough to come to room temperature. Proceed with your favorite pizza recipe. Makes 45 ounces dough or three 15-ounce portions, enough for three 12-inch pizzas.