Italian Pizza Recipes

ITALIAN PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Stir yeast and sugar into lukewarm water, using a fork. Let stand in a warm place until a creamy layer forms on top of the water, about 10 minutes.
• Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Mix olive oil into flour and stir for 2 minutes. Pour yeast mixture and beaten egg into flour mixture and stir to make a stiff dough. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until springy and smooth, about 8 minutes. Place dough into a floured bowl and cover with a piece of plastic wrap wiped with a thin film of olive oil.
• Let dough rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down and roll out to desired shape.

REAL ITALIAN PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to the lowest setting possible.
• Combine 4 cups flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment; turn mixer on low speed. Crumble yeast into small pieces and add to the flour. Slowly pour in water. Scrape the sides to make sure all flour is incorporated and mix until dough begins to pull away from the sides and form a ball. Drizzle in oil and mix until fully incorporated.
• Knead on low speed for 5 or 6 minutes, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons extra flour if needed. Remove dough from the bowl and use your hands to form a ball. Return dough to the bowl and score the top with an "x." Cover with a damp cloth.
• Turn oven off and place dough in the oven to rise for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
• Remove dough from the oven and reattach the bowl to the stand mixer. Uncover and punch down dough. Knead on low speed for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a pizza stone or tray on the bottom oven rack and preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Cut dough into 4 equal pieces and roll each one into ball. Dust with flour if needed. Place balls on a sheet pan and cover with a damp cloth. Roll out each ball into a 9-inch circle and top with desired toppings (no more than 1 cup sauce per pizza).
• Place pizza on the pizza stone in the preheated oven. Immediately lower the temperature to 410 degrees F (210 degrees C) and bake for 10 to 12 minutes; actual length of time will depend on your toppings. Repeat to make remaining pizzas.

CLASSIC ITALIAN PIZZA

Steps:

• To make the dough, mix the yeast with the warm water, sugar and oil and leave for 1-2 minutes. Add the flours into a mixing bowl with 1/2 tsp salt and briefly mix before making a well ready for the liquids. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir into the flour using a fork, until the mixture comes together and can be finished off by hand. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes on a floured surface, then place in a clean, lightly oiled mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has risen to double its size.
• Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce by blending all of the ingredients together.
• Preheat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan, gas mark 9). Place the dough back onto a floured surface and knead for another minute to knock the air out. Any dough not used immediately can be refrigerated for up to 2 days - allowing to stand for 2 hours before making the pizzas.
• Roll out the dough and place on a large baking tray. Spread the tomato base over the pizza before topping with the blue cheese and mozzarella, then the mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.
• Cook in the hot oven for around 15 minutes or until the dough is crisp around the edges. Top with the parmesan and a good grating of pepper and serve.

ITALIAN PIZZA

Steps:

• How to make the dough:
• Mix flour and salt in a bowl. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pour the mixture. Combine the warm water and sugar in a measuring cup. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water. Let stand until foamy in appearance, about 5 minutes. Pour the water and oil into the food processor. Process until the mixture becomes a ball.
• Remove the dough from the food processor and put on lightly floured surface. Slightly knead until smooth. Put in a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place (about 45 minutes).
• Punch down the dough and let rise for another 45 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece on a clean surface, with a bit of flour if necessary, to a 6-inch circle.
• Meantime, dust 2 sheet pans lightly with cornmeal. Place the dough disks on the prepared sheet pans and top with sauce and toppings.
• preheat oven to 500F. Now, you’re ready to do the toppings.
• Brush dough with tomato paste the add sundried tomatoes. Distribute evenly all topping ingredients except cheese. Put a dash of salt and pepper.
• Add cheese. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.