Pizza, a beloved dish with a rich history, is a culinary delight that has captured the hearts of people worldwide. Originating in Naples, Italy, this delectable creation has evolved into a global phenomenon with countless variations. At its core, pizza consists of a simple yet flavorful combination of dough, sauce, and toppings, all baked to perfection. The dough, made from a mixture of flour, water, yeast, and salt, forms the foundation of the pizza. It can be thin and crispy or thick and chewy, depending on personal preference. The sauce, typically made from tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and spices, adds a tangy and savory flavor that complements the dough. Finally, the toppings, ranging from classic pepperoni and cheese to creative combinations of vegetables, meats, and even fruits, provide endless possibilities for customization. Whether enjoyed as a quick snack or a hearty meal, pizza is a versatile dish that caters to a wide range of tastes and occasions. This article presents two essential recipes for pizza lovers: a classic pizza sauce recipe that captures the authentic Italian flavors, and a simple yet effective pizza dough recipe that yields a delicious and versatile base for your culinary creations.
Let's cook with our recipes!
HOMEMADE THIN CRUST PIZZA (CRISPY DOUGH AND SWEET BALSAMIC SAUCE
Don't be scared of how long this recipe looks! It's super simple and the results are amazing! Use your favorite toppings - we like shredded chicken, roasted red peppers, fresh spinach, and mozzarella. Adapted from http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/main-dish/recipe-homemade-thin-crust-pizza-045499
Provided by mikey ev
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 55m
Yield 2 14-inch pizzas, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pre-heat your oven to 500 degrees. If you have a baking stone, put it on a rack in the lower-middle part of the oven.
- In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, heat the water until it feels barely lukewarm when you test it with your finger (if the water is so hot that you can't leave your finger in it, wait for it to cool down). Add the yeast to the water and use a fork or whisk to stir it into the water. Set this aside for a few minutes and allow the yeast to dissolve.
- Measure out the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the salt and use your hand or a whisk to combine.
- Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the water-yeast mixture. Use your fingers or a wooden spoon to combine everything together.
- When it comes together into a cohesive ball, turn it out onto the counter along with any extra flour in the bowl that hasn't yet gotten worked inches.
- Knead the dough until all the flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth and elastic to the touch--about five minutes.The dough should still feel moist and slightly tacky. If it's sticking to your hands and counter-top like bubble gum, work in more flour one tablespoon at a time until it's smooth and silky.
- Use a bench scraper to divide the dough in two. Shape each half into a smooth ball. Set aside while preparing sauce.
- Heat olive oil in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper olive oil (or a little extra olive oil, plus red pepper flakes).
- Saute 2 minutes, or until garlic is golden. Add half of the white sugar, and allow to melt (it might start to look clumpy, don't worry and keep going).
- Add drained tomatoes and the rest of the white sugar. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (prepared sauce, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, basil, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper). Lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. You can break up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon, or use an immersion blender if you prefer.
- Work one piece of the dough in your hands and form it into a large disk. Working from the middle of the dough outwards, use the heel of your hand to gently press the dough outward until it's about 1/4 of an inch thick or less. You can also use a rolling pin for this part.
- Repeat with the second piece of dough (or freeze it for later).
- Place pizza dough on baking stone or baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Spoon a few tablespoons of sauce into the center of each pizza and use the back of a spoon to spread it out to the edges. Pile on all of your toppings except the cheese.
- Bake for about 5 minutes and then rotate the pizza 180-degrees (most ovens have 'hot spots' your pizza will bake unevenly if it's not rotated). Bake for another 3 minutes and then sprinkle the cheese over the top. Bake for another 2-3 minutes until the edges are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove your pizza from oven and let it cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 399.1, Fat 7.7, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 831.2, Carbohydrate 75.3, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 22.4, Protein 8.4
PIZZA SAUCE AND DOUGH
The basic pizza dough and sauce ready and waiting for your favorite toppings!
Provided by Siegela
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pizza Sauce Recipes
Time 2h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
- In a food processor, combine flour, Italian seasoning and salt. Pulse until mixed. Add yeast mixture, flat beer and oil. Pulse until a ball is formed. Scrape dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead for several minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Allow dough to rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Divide dough in half, and shape into balls. Place dough balls in separate bowls, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise at room temperature for about 1 hour, then store in the refrigerate overnight.
- To make the sauce: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions until tender. Stir in garlic, and cook for 1 minute. Crush tomatoes into saucepan. Add tomato paste, basil, parsley and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 83.9 calories, Carbohydrate 10.4 g, Cholesterol 0.3 mg, Fat 3.8 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 519.2 mg, Sugar 5.6 g
PIZZA SAUCE AND PIZZA DOUGH
Wow, I've been making this anytime we crave pizza for almost 20+ years. My brother and my SIL gave us a Christmas gift 20+ years ago which contained all the fixings for making pizza including recipes written in red and white checkered sheets. I still have the sheets tucked safely away but they are now very hard to read and the paper is very fragile looking. I copied the recipes to several places - one in my computer recipe database and another handwritten on 4 x 6 in card and now to here for safekeeping. The original recipe had all semolina flour for the dough and I've made them that way as well as combination semolina flour/regular flour and all regular flour. Use whichever flour you prefer. The semolina flour is harder to handle but it does make crispier crust. You will not use all the sauce on 1 pizza. Freeze whatever portion left from making one pizza. I usually double the dough and bake two pizzas. There is enough sauce for about 4 pizzas. I freeze unused sauce. Use pizza pan about 12 inches round. Posted on: 5/18/08
Provided by Rinshinomori
Categories European
Time 1h55m
Yield 1 pizza
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- For Sauce:.
- If tomatoes are not very finely chopped, you can also use food processor to pulse tomatoes several times or use immersion blender for 10 - 20 seconds.
- Lightly cook garlic in olive oil. Add all ingredients and simmer for about 45 minutes. You will not use all the sauce for 1 pizza. Freeze the rest for later use.
- For Dough:.
- Combine yeast, lukewarm water and honey in a small bowl. This is to proof the yeast and it's ready to use when you see it foaming - about 10 minutes.
- Combine yeast mixture, flour, salt, and olive oil and use bread hook for easy preparation. Knead until satiny smooth. Place it in a oiled large bowl, cover and let rest until doubled about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
- Or knead for 10 minutes or until smooth. Place it in a oiled large bowl, cover, and let it rest until double - about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
- Or use automatic bread maker and use the dough cycle. Place in oiled large bowl, cover, and let it rest until double - about 2 - 2 1/2 hours.
- Roll out to fit the pizza pan about 12 inches round. Brush with some olive oil and then spoon on pizza sauce. Use whatever fixings you like on top and bake 425 F degrees oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Every oven is different so check often to make sure they don't burn and bake until done.
Tips:
- Use high-quality tomatoes: Fresh, ripe tomatoes are essential for a flavorful sauce. If fresh tomatoes are unavailable, use canned whole tomatoes, which are typically picked at their peak ripeness.
- Simmer the sauce: Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to develop and meld together. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a richer flavor.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme add a burst of flavor to the sauce. Add them towards the end of cooking to preserve their delicate flavor.
- Season to taste: Taste the sauce as you cook it and adjust the seasonings accordingly. A good starting point is 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Let the dough rise properly: Allowing the dough to rise properly is essential for a light and airy crust. Follow the recipe's instructions carefully and let the dough rise until it has doubled in size.
- Use a hot oven: A hot oven is essential for a crispy crust. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach, typically 450°F (230°C) or higher.
- Don't overload the pizza: Too many toppings can weigh down the pizza and make it soggy. Use a moderate amount of toppings and distribute them evenly.
- Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly: This usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Conclusion:
With these tips in mind, you can create delicious homemade pizza that rivals your favorite pizzeria. Experiment with different toppings and flavor combinations to find your perfect pizza recipe. Whether you prefer a classic Margherita pizza or a more adventurous combination, the possibilities are endless. So get creative and enjoy the process of making your own pizza at home!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love