| The Key to a good pizza is in the dough. Dough | | | | forth until it is smooth and elastic. By hand this takes |
| recipes are interchangeable as each recipe is better | | | | about 10 minutes. A processor takes only 1-2 minutes |
| suited to a variety of sauces and toppings. They are | | | | to knead. |
| all made in the same basic way. | | | | Next is to let the dough rise. Put a light coat of oil on it |
| Yeast doughs are made very easily, using active dry | | | | in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. In about |
| yeast sold in supermarkets. You can use fast-acting | | | | 1-2 hours left a room temperature it should rise to |
| yeast found in specialty shops, which does not require | | | | double the size. |
| proofing, when dissolved you can mix directly with | | | | Now is the time to shape the dough. Transfer the risen |
| flour. This reduces rising time. Regular flour(all-purpose) | | | | dough to a lightly floured surface and press down on it |
| is the only kind you need. If you want a different | | | | and form, shape and add toppings and filling as desired |
| variety of dough you can use a whole-wheat flour, | | | | before baking. |
| cornmeal or mashed potato to provide a different | | | | There are many recipes for dough such as basic |
| flavor and texture. | | | | pizza dough, herb pizza dough, whole-wheat pizza |
| Pizza dough takes time to make. Make dough in | | | | dough, potato pizza dough, milk pizza dough, and |
| advance by tightly enclosing balls of dough in plastic | | | | cornmeal pizza dough. |
| wrap and freezing them. You can then defrost them | | | | There is nothing like a crispy brown crust with hot |
| at room temperature for several hours, or all day in the | | | | tasty toppings. The heat in an oven is very important. |
| refrigerator. Some people use good quality frozen | | | | Baking stones or tiles provide the heat of a |
| dough, you can also purchase dough at bakeries or | | | | professional oven. Baking stones and tiles need to be |
| supermarkets. | | | | preheated. When the crust is golden brown and the |
| A good start is to dissolve the yeast in a mixing bowl, | | | | topping is hot and cooked you can remove from oven |
| stir the dry yeast with lukewarm water until dissolved. | | | | and transfer to a cutting board or metal serving pan |
| Leave at room temperature until yeast foams slightly | | | | and enjoy. |
| and looks creamy. It takes about 10 minutes. | | | | The right cooking accessories are needed to make a |
| A processor can be used in making dough. Using the | | | | delicious pizza. Some of the popular tools are baking |
| metal blades add the flour and any other dry ingredient | | | | stones, pizza serving dishes, liquid measuring cups, oil |
| to the work bowl. As the machine in running add the | | | | can, basting brush, pizza server, paring knife, baking |
| yeast mixture through the tube and process until a ball | | | | sheets, pizza baking pans, crisping pan, four-sided |
| of dough is made. | | | | shredder/slicer, dowel-type rolling pan, dry measuring |
| You can make dough by hand by mixing the flour and | | | | cups, measuring spoons, baking tiles, pizza screen, |
| dry ingredients in a mound on a surface or large bowl. | | | | bakers peel, flat grater, dough scrapper, oven |
| You mix the yeast mixture and stir in a circular motion | | | | thermometer, mixing bowls, pizza herbs, straight-sided |
| until the dough forms. If by hand you need to knead | | | | spatula. |
| the dough by putting it on a floured surface and with | | | | Now that you know the basics enjoy making a great |
| the heal of your hand pushing on the dough back and | | | | pizza. |