Marthas Pizza Dough For A Crowd Food

HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Pour the warm water into a small bowl. Add the sugar, and sprinkle in the yeast. Stir the mixture with a fork until the yeast is dissolved and the water has turned a tan color. Let yeast stand until creamy, about 5 minutes. Place the flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture; pulse until the dough comes together, adding flour as needed until the dough is smooth but not sticky when squeezed. Transfer the dough to a clean surface, and knead four or five times, until dough forms a smooth ball.
• Brush the inside of a medium bowl with olive oil; place the dough in the bowl, smooth-side up. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap; place in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 40 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap, and punch down dough. Fold the dough down on itself four or five times. Turn the dough over, folded-side down; cover with plastic wrap. Return to set in a warm spot to double again, about 30 minutes.
• Punch down dough, and knead about four or five times. Cover with plastic, and let rest another 5 minutes before using.

CLASSIC PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine water and yeast in a bowl; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add flour, salt, sugar, and oil; stir until a ragged dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured work surface; knead with floured hands until smooth, elastic, and tacky but no longer sticky, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl brushed with oil, turning dough to evenly coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 3 hours; or refrigerate until doubled in volume, at least 12 hours and up to 3 days (return to room temperature before using, 1 to 2 hours).

QUICK BASIC PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water into a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk sugar, oil, and salt into yeast mixture. Add flour and stir until a sticky dough forms. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and brush top with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free place until dough has doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead 1 or 2 times before using.
• Dough can be stored in an oiled bowl, covered with plastic, in refrigerator up to 2 hours. To freeze, wrap dough in plastic and freeze in a resealable freezer bag up to 3 months. If you plan to use it in a recipe that calls for half a batch, divide it before freezing.

GRANDMA PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine water and yeast in a bowl; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add flour, salt, sugar, and oil, stirring until a ragged dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured work surface and knead with floured hands until elastic and tacky but no longer sticky, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl brushed with oil, turning dough to evenly coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours; or refrigerate until doubled in volume, at least 12 hours and up to 3 days (return to room temperature before using, 1 to 2 hours).

BASIC GRILLED PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup warm water into a medium bowl; add sugar and sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, 5 minutes.
• Whisk oil and 1 teaspoon salt into yeast mixture. Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon until liquid is incorporated (dough will appear dry). Turn out onto a floured work surface. Knead until dough comes together in an elastic ball, 2 minutes. Transfer to an oiled medium bowl; brush lightly with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; set in a warm, draft-free place until dough has doubled in bulk, 45 minutes. Punch down dough and cover; let rise another 30 minutes.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide into 4 equal pieces. Let rest 15 minutes before using.