Katies Pizza Dough Recipes

CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Break the cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until fine. Steam in a steamer basket and drain well. (I like to put it on a towel to get all the moisture out.) Let cool.
• In a bowl, combine the cauliflower with the mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, salt, garlic powder and eggs. Transfer to the center of the baking sheet and spread into a circle, resembling a pizza crust. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Add desired toppings and bake an additional 10 minutes.

NEAPOLITAN MARGHERITA PIZZA

Steps:

• Set a pizza stone on the lower rack of the oven, remove the other racks, and preheat to 500 degrees F.
• Using a food mill, grind the tomatoes into a bowl (or pulse in a food processor until coarsely pureed.) Season with sea salt and set aside.
• Very lightly dust a work surface with some flour. Fill a medium bowl with flour and spread it out into a wide even layer. Drop the dough onto the flour in the bowl, and flip it over once in the bowl to lightly coat it. On the work surface, using your fingertips, press the dough all over to flatten it. Flip it over and press all over the surface again. Flip it one more time and repeat. Press the dough with your fingers repeatedly on one side with one hand, and with the other hand, slowly turn the dough clockwise on the work surface. Continue poking and rotating the dough to flatten and stretch the dough.
• Pick the dough up and toss it back and forth between the palms of your hands until it begins to stretch, forms a rough disc, and gets thinner. Drape the dough over your hands, tuck your fingers in, and gently pull your knuckles toward the outer edge of the dough. Continue, rotating the dough as you go, until it is about 10 inches in diameter. Work slowly, allowing the weight of the dough itself to stretch and do not force it or it will tear and can make the crust too chewy.
• Dust the work surface with a little more flour and set the crust back down. Press it with your fingers and pull it gently at the edges to even out the circle. Using a small ladle, evenly spread about 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Scatter the mozzarella pieces from the center out, leaving space between the cheese. Tear the basil leaves in half and scatter the pieces over the pizza.
• Lightly flour a pizza peel and set it on the work surface at the edge of the pizza crust closest to you. Run your fingers around the outside parameter of the crust to loosen any edges that might be stuck (and make sure the dough is not stuck to the counter anywhere in the center). Gently grab the dough at the 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock positions and in one, quick motion, pull the pizza onto the peel. Use your fingers to pull and straighten the crust until round.
• Open the oven door. Set the front of the peel on the back edge of the pizza stone. Shake the peel very lightly to make sure the dough is not stuck and will slide. Holding the peel at a 45-degree angle, jiggle it until the pizza begins to slide off; once it reaches the edge of the peel, shake it lightly a few times, and then pull the peel out in one swift motion to drop the pizza onto the hot stone. Immediately close the oven door and cook until the crust begins to char on the bottom and edges and cheese is melted and bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Use the peel to remove the pizza; slide it onto a cutting board. Slice with a pizza wheel and serve immediately.
• Put the yeast in a measuring cup and dissolve it in about 1/2 cup of the water. In a large bowl, dissolve the salt in the remaining water.
• Add about 1/2 cup of the flour to the salt-water solution and add the yeast mixture. Use your fingers to mix well. Add the remaining flour and mix with your hands until it forms a dough. Transfer the dough to a floured countertop.
• To knead the dough, grab the sides with your fingers and pull it up and over itself into the center. Using the balls of your hands, press the dough firmly in the center. Repeat, pulling the dough from the outer sides inward, Press it fast from the edge inwards. Working quickly will help prevent it from sticking. Continue kneading the dough until it is very smooth to the touch, and springs back when pressed, 15 to 20 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a clean bowl, and cover with plastic wrap.
• Let the dough rise for 2 hours, and then divide into four 9-ounce portions. Form the portions into balls. Cover the dough with a towel and let rise at room temperature for 6 hours.

KATIE'S PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Disolve yeast, 1/2 tsp sugar, and pinch of salt in warm water (110-115 degrees).
• Let rise 10-15 minute.
• Meanwhile, combine flour and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl.
• Make a hole in the center, and pour yeast mixture and oil.
• Mix until you have a soft dough.
• Add a bit more flour if too sitcky.
• Knead on a lightly floured surface until you have a workable dough.
• Let rise about 15 min (until doubled) in an oiled bowl, covered with a towel.
• For Pizza: Roll out place on stone and brush with garlic salt and olive oil. Bake 15-20 minute.
• For Calzones: Wrap the dough over your filling. Then mix some egg, oil, and garlic salt together and brush it on top to make it crispy. You can even chop up some herbs to spread on or mix with the dough. If you're camping you'll want to get some tin foil to put over the grill because they can be kind of messy. It definitely takes a bit of time to cook (you'll want a hot fire or charcoal) but keep the flames from burning the dough. It's kind of tricky but I always figure when you're camping you have plenty of time to watch it.

EASY HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Stir whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, sugar, olive oil, and warm water with a spatula until formed into a sticky ball of dough that pulls away from sides of a large bowl, about 3-4 minutes.
• Cover the bowl with a light cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) for 18 hours, until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 550 degrees F (280 degrees C). Sprinkle a baking sheet with cornmeal.
• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and sprinkle with more flour. Form the dough into a rectangle, and cut it into four equal parts. Shape each piece into a ball, stretching and tucking the dough to create a smooth surface, adding more flour if needed. Cover the dough balls with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
• To shape the dough, sprinkle the surface with flour and lightly pat flat. Use a rolling pin to form a thin disk about 9 inches in diameter.
• Transfer the formed crust to the prepared baking sheet and top as desired. Bake on the bottom rack for 4 minutes, move to the middle rack and bake for 5-6 minutes more minutes, until the bottom is crispy and the top is lightly browned. Move to cooling rack to cool slightly before serving.

PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a medium bowl combine water, yeast, sugar, and salt.
• Let sit until foam appears on the top.
• In the bowl of a stand up mixer combine the yeast mixture with the olive oil, salad oil, and 3 cups of the flour.
• With the whip attachment, beat for 10 minutes.
• Clean and remove the whip attachment. Add the remaining flour and cheese.
• With the dough hook attachment in place, slowly pulse the mixer on and off until the flour is incorporated.
• Continue kneading on medium speed for 10-12 minutes or until the dough is smooth and no longer clings to the sides of the mixer.
• If you need to add more flour, do so 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides.
• Transfer the dough to a large, oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
• Place in a warm location and allow to rise for one hour or until doubled in size.
• Punch down dough and allow to rise a second time.
• After the second rise the dough is ready to be divided and rolled, or stored in the freezer.