Daring Baker's October Challenge - Homemade Pizza
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 by Pam
My daughter's masterpiece (5 years old)
My VERY delicious pizza
My husband's tasty pizza
For my fourth Daring Baker's Challenge we were to make our own pizzas with homemade dough. I thought this challenge would be simple and fun. We all had a good time making the pizzas but making the dough was a little harder than I thought it would be. I couldn't believe how long the recipe was and it had so many notes and steps that I became a little intimidated. One of the requirements for this challenge is that we need to toss the dough to form a crust instead of using a rolling pin. I also need to have a picture taken of me tossing the dough.
I had a tough time while making the dough. I followed the instructions but my dough was like soup. It was nearly pure liquid soI had to add quite a bit of flour to make it manageable. Next time I won't add all of the water. I was nervous that the dough was ruined but decided to put it in the refrigerator to rest overnight. I was happily surprised to see the dough was looking normal the next day.
I thought it would be fun to let everyone make their own pizza. I supplied a bunch of different toppings and let everyone go wild. The pizzas turned out really good. The dough was crisp and tasty. They were oozing with cheese and filled with tasty toppings. The kids had so much fun making their own pizzas and so did my husband and I.
This month the Daring Bakers is hosted by Rosa of Rosa's Yummy Yums . It was originally supposed to be hosted by Rosa along with Sher at What did you eat and Glenna at A Fridge Full of Food. Unfortunatley, Sher passed away suddenly this past July and Glenna decided to leave the Daring Bakers. Sher told Rosa just prior to her death that she wanted to do homemade pizza so Rosa honored her wish.
Basic Pizza Dough ~ Original recipe taken from “The Bread Baker’s Apprentice” by Peter Reinhart. Makes 6 pizza crusts (about 9-12 inches/23-30 cm in diameter).
Ingredients:
- 4 1/2 Cups all purpose flour, chilled
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Instant yeast
- 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil (both optional, but it’s better with)
- 1 3/4 Cups water, ice cold
- 1 tbsp sugar
Day One:
Mix together the flour, salt and instant yeast in a big bowl (or in the bowl of your stand mixer). Add the oil, sugar and cold water and mix well (with the help of a large wooden spoon or with the paddle attachment, on low speed) in order to form a sticky ball of dough.
On a clean surface, knead for about 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and the ingredients are homogeneously distributed. If it is too wet, add a little flour (not too much, though) and if it is too dry add 1 or 2 teaspoons extra water.
NOTE: If you are using an electric mixer, switch to the dough hook and mix on medium speed for the same amount of time.The dough should clear the sides of the bowl but stick to the bottom of the bowl. If the dough is too wet, sprinkle in a little more flour, so that it clears the sides. If, on the contrary, it clears the bottom of the bowl, dribble in a teaspoon or two of cold water. The finished dough should be springy, elastic, and sticky, not just tacky, and register 50°-55° F.
Flour a work surface or counter. Line a jelly pan with baking paper/parchment. Lightly oil the paper. With the help of a metal or plastic dough scraper, cut the dough into 6 equal pieces (or larger if you want to make larger pizzas).
NOTE: To avoid the dough from sticking to the scraper, dip the scraper into water between cuts.
Sprinkle some flour over the dough. Make sure your hands are dry and then flour them. Gently round each piece into a ball.
NOTE: If the dough sticks to your hands, then dip your hands into the flour again.
Transfer the dough balls to the lined jelly pan and mist them generously with spray oil. Slip the pan into plastic bag or enclose in plastic food wrap. Put the pan into the refrigerator and let the dough rest overnight or for up to three days.
NOTE: You can store the dough balls in a zippered freezer bag if you want to save some of the dough for any future baking. In that case, pour some oil (a few tablespoons only) in a medium bowl and dip each dough ball into the oil, so that it is completely covered in oil. Then put each ball into a separate bag. Store the bags in the freezer for no longer than 3 months.
The day before you plan to make pizza, remember to transfer the dough balls from the freezer to the refrigerator.
Day Two:On the day you plan to eat pizza, exactly 2 hours before you make it, remove the desired number of dough balls from the refrigerator. Dust the counter with flour and spray lightly with oil. Place the dough balls on a floured surface and sprinkle them with flour. Dust your hands with flour and delicately press the dough into disks about 1/2 inch thick and 5 inches in diameter. Sprinkle with flour and mist with oil. Loosely cover the dough rounds with plastic wrap and then allow to rest for 2 hours.
At least 45 minutes before making the pizza, place a baking stone on the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven as hot as possible 500° F.
Note: I didn't do this step. I sprinkled corn meal on my pizza pan and placed the dough on it - I did not preheat my pan.
Flour your hands. Take 1 piece of dough by lifting it with a pastry scraper. Lay the dough across your fists in a very delicate way and carefully stretch it by bouncing it in a circular motion on your hands, and by giving it a little stretch with each bounce. Once the dough has expanded outward, move to a full toss.
When the dough has the shape you want (about 9-12 inches - for a 6 ounces piece of dough), place it on the back of the jelly pan, making sure there is enough semolina/durum flour or cornmeal to allow it to slide and not stick to the pan.
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Combine all ingredients, taste and re season if necessary. Makes about 1 1/2 cups, enough for 2 pizzas.
- Turkey pepperoni
- Sliced mushrooms
- Pineapple
- Sliced black olives
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Kalamata olives
- Artichoke hearts
- Fresh basil
- Tomato slices
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Parmesan cheese, shredded
Slide the garnished pizza onto the stone in the oven or bake directly on the jelly pan. Close the door and bake for about 5-8 minutes.
Take the pizza out of the oven and transfer it to a cutting board or your plate. In order to allow the cheese to set a little, wait 3-5 minutes before slicing or serving.
Click here for a printable version of recipe
Posts
Great pizzas, lovely pictures! My dough was tough to work with too, but the final resulat was sooo worth it :)
Looks great! I have never made homemade dough, so you go girl! ;) Lisa K
Love all the toppings!
I love all of your photos! Looks like fun!! Can I have a slice??
Pam I would have been tears after the moist dough. I admire your for sticking with it. Your hards work paid off. Your pizzas look so wonderful and rustic, just like they came out of a brick oven.
I have a wonderful pizza dough recipe that is simple and doesn't take long at all. I think when things calm down a bit at home I'll make pizzas with my husband and the girls.
I have something for you on my blog.
WOW - This is a great post!!! Love it alot. Pizza looks amazing... thanks for sharing
zesty
Your pictures are great! Wasn't it fun to get the whole family involved in this challenge!
What a fun challenge this was! :) love all the pics!
mmmm those look good! i love your 5 year olds! he's so creative :) they all look tasty!
I learned to make pizza dough this year, and have let the kids make their own pizza a couple of times. I love a good "white" pizza with just spices, sliced tomatoes and plenty of cheese! It's fun to let the kids put their own toppings on the pizza, isn't it?
LOL I love it!
I love all the pictures! All the pizzas look absolutely delicious!
You all did a great job! I wish I could've seen a mid-air picture. That'd be impressive!
Your pizza came out picture perfect! The colors are gorgeous.
Ay ya yai...that's exactly what I said when I saw your pizzas! They all look great!
Going to check out that delicious looking pasta below!!
Home made pizza is the best!. The generous topping all look delicious:)
The pizzas look awesome!!!!!!!!!
oh, wow! those pizza's look sooo yummy! they look like a pizza from chicago or something. i am so hungary!
Tough one...but it looks so good with all your colorful toppings!
I always love those edge pieces where the meats char a bit and curl up. Too yummy! These look fantastic!
oh.. I did it again, I missed your other post? The chili post = ( It sure if finally nice to meet you.. I was spewing liquid when you said "it didn't go in the air" hehe Homemade pizza is the best, I remember my mum and dad would make it when we were kids, I remember corn being a topping and potato salad. You are sure a fabulous cook. Thanks for the invite, I'm heading over for dinner.. hehe
I've always wanted to make homemade pizza. I have to try your recipe! :) I hope you win the challenge
As usual, the layout of your ingredients look so appetizing and the photos are pure yum! Now I'm hungry...
That's a lot of work, but so worth it. Love the kid's creations :)
Homeade pizza is a great way to spend a night with the fam.
Gosh, don't they look tasty AND delicious! It's so funny to see the kids' pizzas-- the 3 year old will barely let the ingredients touch, and the 5 year old (girl) will want to make it as pretty as possible! They're so cute!
I've been reading DB pizza posts all day, and I think yours looks the best!
Delicious!
Pretty pizzas! Great work!
I love it when the whole family gets involved! It makes the kitchen experience so much more meaningful! Gotta love 'em pizzas, sculpted by loving hands and with love!
beautiful pizzas--kudos to your whole family. :)
i love pineapple on my pizza, and every time i eat it without fail, i'll get a disgusted look from my mother. she just doesn't understand. :)
You are so lucky to have such wonderful helpers in the kitchen. I am jealous. Your pizzas look superb. Well done!
Awesome job! Love the choice of toppings ;]
I like your son's pizza the best. The black olive slice would end up being my favorite.
It is so FUN to see your kids participate in your pizza making. I have yet made my 1st homemade pizza but can't wait to start one after looking at this posting. Tks for your sharing.
They all look delicious! I love how creative you can be with pizza, it's fun to make and great for kids too.
Your pizza look fantastic, my childs love to make pizza too!! xGloria
The pizza looks great. You have elaborated the steps so well. Will definitely try it.