Thin Crust Pizza Dough Romana Pizza Dough Food

THIN & CRISPY PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the dough: Put a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack and preheat to 450 degrees F. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the water and olive oil and mix to make a shaggy, sticky dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a smooth and elastic ball, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place, 15 minutes.
• Brush two large sheets of parchment paper with olive oil. Place a ball of dough between the parchment, oiled-sides in; use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 12- to 14-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Remove the top piece of parchment and transfer the dough (and the bottom piece of parchment) to a pizza peel or inverted baking sheet.
• Spread 1/3 cup sauce on the crust; scatter with 3/4 cup mozzarella. Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the hot stone. Bake until the crust is crisp and golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool 1 to 2 minutes before slicing. Repeat to make the second pizza.

THIN-CRUST PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in hot water in a bowl. Let stand until yeast forms a creamy foam, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Mix 1 3/4 cup flour and salt in a large bowl. Pour in yeast mixture; mix well until dough comes together.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth, adding remaining 1/4 cup flour if dough is too sticky, about 2 minutes. Roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a greased pizza pan.

ROMAN-STYLE THIN-CRUST PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with rack in lower third lined with a pizza stone or baking sheet. Divide dough in half. On a piece of parchment dusted with semolina, roll one piece of dough into an approximately 9-by-15-inch oval. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer on parchment to a baking sheet or pizza peel. Spread half of alfredo sauce over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with rack in lower third lined with a pizza stone or baking sheet. Divide dough in half. On a piece of parchment dusted with semolina, roll one piece of dough into an approximately 9-by-15-inch oval. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer on parchment to a baking sheet or pizza peel. Spread half of alfredo sauce over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
• Ricotta-Peas-Prosciutto: Dollop half of ricotta, in small spoonfuls, evenly over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top evenly with half of peas and lightly drizzle with oil. Slide pizza (still on parchment) onto stone. Bake until crust is golden brown in places and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a board; top with half of prosciutto or arugula, if using. Slice and serve. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings.
• Spinach-Parmigiano-Pepper Flakes: Top evenly with half of spinach, cheese, and pepper flakes; lightly drizzle with oil. Slide pizza (still on parchment) onto stone. Bake until crust is golden brown in places and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a board; top with half of prosciutto or arugula, if using. Slice and serve. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings.
• Potato-Red Onion-Arugula: Top evenly with half of potatoes, then half of onion and cheese. Slide pizza (still on parchment) onto stone. Bake until crust is golden brown in places and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a board; top with half of prosciutto or arugula, if using. Slice and serve. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings.

PIZZA DOUGH FOR THIN CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Mix a little sugar into the warm water.
• Sprinkle yeast on top.
• Wait for 10 minutes or until it gets all foamy.
• Pour into a large bowl.
• Add flour, salt, olive oil.
• Combine.
• Knead for 6-8 minutes until you have a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (add a bit more flour if you need to).
• Cover and let rest for 20-30 minutes.
• Lightly grease two 12-inch pizza pans.
• Sprinkle with a little bit of cornmeal.
• Divide dough in half.
• Place each half on a pizza pan and pat it with your fingers until it stretches over the whole pan.
• Try to make it thicker around the edge.
• If desired, pre-bake at 425 F for 10 minutes (I don't always do this).
• Then spread with pizza sauce and use the toppings of your choice.
• Bake at 425 F for 10-20 minutes longer or until bubbly and hot.
• Makes 2 12-inch pizzas.
• If you don't want to use all the dough, you can freeze it.
• Take a portion of dough, form into a ball, rub olive oil over it and place it in a freezer bag (the oil makes it easier to take out of the bag).
• When you want to make a pizza, take dough out of freezer and allow to thaw before using.

ROMAN PIZZA

Steps:

• Position 1 oven rack in the center and the second rack on the bottom of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Roll out each piece of pizza dough into a 13 1/2 by 8 1/2-inch rectangle. Transfer to separate large baking sheets.
• Spoon the marinara sauce over the pizzas, dividing equally and leaving a 1-inch border around each pizza. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Fontina cheeses over the pizzas, dividing equally. Sprinkle the mushrooms and pancetta over the cheese. Bake the pizzas until the crusts are crisp and brown on the bottom and the cheese is melted on top, about 15 minutes. Cut the pizzas crosswise into rectangular slices and serve immediately.
• Mix the warm water and yeast in a small bowl to blend. Let stand until the yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor to blend. Blend in the oil. With the machine running, add the yeast mixture and blend just until the dough forms. Turn the dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draft-free area until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Punch the down dough and form into ball. The dough can be used immediately or stored airtight in the refrigerator for 1 day.

THIN-CRUST CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the dough: Sprinkle the yeast over the hot water in a small bowl. Let stand until dissolved and slightly foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and add the olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, dust the dough with flour and knead, dusting with more flour as needed, until very smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough into two 1-pound balls; wrap one ball in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before using.
• Make the pizza sauce: Combine the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, sugar and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a medium bowl; season with more salt and sugar if needed. (Makes about 1 1/2 cups.)
• Make the pizza: Preheat the oven to 500˚ F (use the convection setting, if available) with a pizza stone, baking steel or inverted large baking sheet in the lower third of the oven. Working on a lightly floured surface, cut the other ball of dough in half. Cup your hand around each piece and gently roll each into a small ball. Transfer 1 ball of dough to a lightly floured piece of parchment paper and roll into a thin 12-inch round with a rolling pin (keep the other ball of dough covered; this recipe makes 2 thin-crust pizzas). Top the dough with 1/4 cup pizza sauce and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, going all the way to the edge.
• Transfer the pizza (on the parchment) to the hot stone and bake until the crust is set, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with 1 1/4 cups grated mozzarella, going all the way to the edge. Return the pizza to the stone, then slide out the parchment from under it. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Repeat to make another pizza.

THIN-CRUST PIZZA WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Make the dough. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 500˚ F (use the convection setting, if available) with a pizza stone, baking steel or inverted large baking sheet in the lower third of the oven.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; put the bell pepper halves on one side and the mushrooms on the other side. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil; rub all over the peppers and toss the mushrooms to coat. Arrange the peppers cut-side down and roast, turning the peppers and stirring the mushrooms occasionally, until the peppers are tender and browned and the mushrooms are tender and dry, 15 to 20 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until tender and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes (reduce the heat if the onions start to get too dark). Stir in 1/4 cup water, the tomato paste and sugar. Cook, stirring frequently, until the tomato paste is toasted and a few shades darker, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar; season with salt, pepper and more sugar, if needed. (The sauce should be slightly sweet and tangy.) Let cool.
• Remove the roasted peppers to a cutting board and chop; transfer to a large bowl and stir in the mushrooms, artichoke hearts and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
• On a lightly floured surface, cut one 1-pound ball of dough in half. Cup your hand around each piece and gently roll each into a small ball. Transfer 1 ball of dough to a lightly floured piece of parchment paper and roll into a thin 12-inch round with a rolling pin (keep the other ball of dough covered).
• Top the dough with half of the sauce, spreading it to the edge, then top with half of the roasted vegetable mixture and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
• Transfer the pizza (on the parchment) to the hot stone and bake until the crust is set, 3 to 5 minutes. Slide out the parchment from under the pizza. Continue baking until the crust is golden brown and crisp, 7 to 10 more minutes. Remove the pizza to a cutting board and dot with half of the ricotta. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and top with basil. Repeat to make another pizza.
• Sprinkle the yeast over the hot water in a small bowl. Let stand until dissolved and slightly foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and add the olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, dust the dough with flour and knead, dusting with more flour as needed, until very smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough into two 1-pound balls. (If making sheet-pan pizza, let the dough rise, covered, on an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet coated with 3 tablespoons olive oil instead of in a bowl; do not divide into two balls.)
• If not using the dough right away, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before using.

THIN CRISPY PIZZA DOUGH FROM AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN

Steps:

• In food processor fitted with metal blade, process flour, sugar, and yeast until combined, about 2 seconds.
• With machine running, slowly add water through feed tube; process until dough is just combined and no dry flour remains, about 10 seconds.
• Let dough stand 10 minutes.
• Add oil and salt to dough and process until dough forms satiny, sticky ball that clears sides of work bowl, 30 to 60 seconds.
• Remove dough from bowl and knead briefly on lightly oiled countertop until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Shape dough into tight ball and place in large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to 3 days.
• One hour before baking pizza, adjust oven rack to second highest position (rack should be about 4 to 5 inches below broiler), set pizza stone on rack, and heat oven to 500 degrees.
• Remove dough from refrigerator and divide in half. Shape each half into smooth, tight ball. Place on lightly oiled baking sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart; cover loosely with plastic wrap coated with nonstick cooking spray; let stand for 1 hour.
• Coat 1 ball of dough generously with flour and place on well-floured countertop. Using fingertips, gently flatten into 8-inch disk, leaving 1 inch of outer edge slightly thicker than center.
• Using hands, gently stretch disk into 12-inch round, working along edges and giving disk quarter turns as you stretch. Transfer dough to well-floured peel and stretch into 13-inch round.
• Using back of spoon or ladle, spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce in thin layer over surface of dough, leaving 1/4-inch border around edge.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan evenly over sauce, followed by 1 cup mozzarella. Too much cheese will create a soggy pizza.
• Slide pizza carefully onto stone and bake until crust is well browned and cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating pizza halfway through (if you can).
• Remove pizza and place on wire rack for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
• TOPPING TIPS: We like our Thin-Crust Pizza simply dressed with tomato sauce and handfuls of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan, but additional toppings are always an option--provided they're prepared correctly and added judiciously. (An overloaded pie will bake up soggy.) Here are a few guidelines for how to handle different types of toppings:.
• HEARTY VEGETABLES Aim for a maximum of 6 ounces per pie, spread out in a single layer. Vegetables such as onions, peppers, and mushrooms should be thinly sliced and lightly sautéed (or microwaved for a minute or two along with a little olive oil) before using.
• DELICATE VEGETABLES AND HERBS Leafy greens and herbs like spinach and basil are best placed beneath the cheese to protect them or added raw to the fully cooked pizza.
• MEATS Proteins (no more than 4 ounces per pie) should be precooked and drained to remove excess fat. We like to poach meats like sausage (broken up into 1/2-inch chunks), pepperoni, or ground beef for 4 to 5 minutes in a wide skillet along with 1/4 cup of water, which helps to render the fat while keeping the meat moist.
• NOTE as with all breads, the ratio of wet to dry is critical and more accurately measured by weight).
• Time does not include resting times.

NO-KNEAD FOOD PROCESSOR THIN CRUST PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Pulse flour, yeast, and salt in food processor until blended.
• With motor running, add water and oil. Process for 1 minute, or until a ball forms.
• With floured hands, remove dough and form into a round ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning over to grease all around.
• Let rise for 10 minutes for thin crust.
• Stretch into pizza pan and top as desired.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until browned.

PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Measure 1/4 cup of warm water into 2-cup measuring cup. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand until yeast dissolves and swells, about 5 minutes.
• Add remaining 1/4 cup warm water plus remaining 1 1/4 cups tap water and olive oil.
• Meanwhile, pulse flour and salt in workbowl of large food processor fitted with steel blade to combine.
• Add liquid ingredients (holding back a tablespoon or so) to flour and pulse together. If dough does not readily form into ball, stop machine, add remaining liquid, and continue to pulse until ball forms. Process until dough is smooth and satiny, about 30 seconds longer.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured work surface; knead by hand with a few strokes to form smooth, round ball.
• Put dough into medium-large, oiled bowl, and cover with damp cloth. Let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface and use chef's knife or dough scraper to halve, quarter, or cut dough into eighths, depending on number and size of pizzas desired. Form each piece into ball and cover with damp cloth. Working with one piece of dough at a time, shape into rounds as thick/thin as desired. Use your hands to stretch the dough into shape, rather than a rolling pin.
• Transfer to pizza peel that has been lightly coated with semolina, brush dough very lightly with olive oil before topping and cooking.
• Use the following guide to determine cooking time for pizza crust with topping but without cheese. All pizzas need to be cooked an additional two or three minutes after adding cheese, or until cheese is completely melted.
• THIN CRUST.
• 14-inch pizzas (Master Recipe makes 2) - 7 to 8 minutes.
• 12-inch pizzas (Master Recipe makes 4) - 5 minutes.
• 8-inch pizzas (Master Recipe makes 8)- 3 minutes.
• MEDIUM-THICK CRUST.
• 12-inch pizzas (Master Recipe makes 2) - 9 to 10 minutes.
• 8-inch pizzas (Master Recipe makes 4) - 5 minutes.
• 6-inch pizzas (Master Recipe makes 8) - 4 minutes.