Pizza

Recipe by: Chef John V.
Serving size: 3 individual 10 inch round pizzas
Preparation time: about 2 hours 30 minutes for dough

Here are some helpful hints on how to make pizza at home that will rival the pizza of Naples, Italy and the great Italian-American pizzas in the USA.

First step: the dough
Mixing pizza dough shaping pizza dough for the second proof

Amount/Measure/Ingredient:

1/2 cup milk
1 1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon yeast
5 1/2 cups bread flour

Preparation:

Combine the milk, water and sugar in a mixing bowl and heat to a warm 110 degrees F. Add the yeast, stir well and let sit 20 minutes to develop and come alive. Add the flour and mix for 2 minutes on medium low speed in a mixer, then add the oil and mix 10 minutes longer, scrap the bowl's side several times. After mixing, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and proof once, letting it double in bulk before knocking it down. (This dough is sticky so you will need extra flour for kneeding.) Divide the dough in 3 equal weights, about 10-12 ounces each. Kneed and form into smooth balls, brush a baking sheet with olive and place the ball on it. Cover with a damp cloth and proof again for 1 hour before making the pizza. FYI---For a more flavorful dough, refrigerate overnight, then take out of the refrigerator 1 hour before making your pizza.

Liquid baker's percentage is about 61 %

Second step: the shaping
Forming pizza dough
Form into round pizza shapes with your hands, pulling and streching as you shape it. You then may place the dough on a baking pan or a wooden baker's peel and top with sauce and ingredients, then slide the dough on to an hot oven baking brick.

Third step: toppings
pizza ready to go in the oven
and baking
Finished pizza in oven
Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F.

The classic pizza in Italy is the Margherita. It consists of crushed canned San Marzano tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, fresh mozzarella cheese and virgin olive oil. It is then baked at a very high temperature 650 degrees F. in a wood burning oven for about 2-3 minutes or until it is puffed up and golden brown.

You may top your pizza with anything you like, just be sure you don't alter the dough recipe and that you bake it at 500 degrees F in a pre-heated oven. It should bake for about 8 minutes or until puffy and light golden brown in color. Serve it immediately

Fourth step: done---
Pizza is ready-nice crust
Cut the pizza into 8 pieces using a pizza cutter and enjoy.

Fifth step: eating & the crust---
A slice

The last bite of pizza crust