Even though I live in tuscany, I was born in Naples which is the town where pizza was invented.
If you are born in Naples It is mandatory to know how to make home made pizza!!
I used to help my mother since I was a child ….so making homemade pizza is a sort of family matters from where you can’t escape!!…
So now I’ll pass on to you…
The main ingridient for pizza dough are : flour, water, olive oil, salt and yeast.
This time I have tried with whole grain flour, it is much better because it is unrefined and it doesn’t loose its nutrients….and it tastes even better than the traditional version 😉
INGREDIENTS
– 1 kg (2.2 pounds) flour (all purpose or whole grain…or half and half)
– 500 ml ( 17 fl oz) warm water
– 25 gr ( 0.88 oz) yeast
– 40 ml (2.7 tbsp) extra virgin olive oil
– pinch of salt
PLEASE NOTE :
the amount of water depends on the humidity of the flour, so add water in small stages
the amount of yeast depends on the time of raising. I mean if you make the dough few hours before eating it, you may need double yeast.
the yeast I use is fresh, but I don’t think you can find it elsewhere…I think in the USA is more common the dry yeast….but I guess it’s the same…anyway take a look at the fresh yeast I used.
In a large bowl put the flour and make a well, put the oil, salt, yeast and part of water.
MAKE CIRCULAR MOVEMENTES WITH YOUR HANDS AND SLOWLY TAKE THE FLOUR FROM THE SIDES TO THE MIDDLE.
ADD THE REMAINING WATER
ONCE ALL THE FLOUR IS MIXED THE RESULT IS A STICKY DOUGH.
PLACE THE DOUGH ON THE COUNTER AND START TO KNEAD
KEEP ON KNEADING UNTIL IT’S VERY SMOOTH AND NOT STICKY
HERE IS THE DOUGH!
ONCE IS READY PUT IT BACK IN THE BOWL AND COVER WITH A DAMP KITCHEN TOWEL .
KEEP IT IN A WARM PLACE FOR 8/9 HOURS (if you don’t have time, also 2 hours will be ok, but you need to put next the heading)
PREHEAT THE OVEN AT 220 C° 420 F°
ONCE THE DOUGH IS RAISED, PUT IT BACK ON THE COUNTER.
DIVIDE INTO 3 PIECES.
STRETCH EACH PIECE FROM THE MIDDLE OUT USING YOUR HANDS
SPRINKLE SOME FLOUR ON A BAKING PAN AND PUT THE DOUGH ON IT
(most people put the oil on the pan, but believe me with the flour it tastes much better!!)
PUT SOME EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ON THE TOP OF THE DOUGH AND SPREAD ALL OVER IT.
…..COMING NEXT : PIZZA MARGHERITA TOPPING
