True Taste of Italy

Making your own Basic Pizza Dough (Impasto per la Pizza) can be a lot of fun and hard work depending on the method that you use.  Dough can be made in a bread machine, food processor, or simply by hand.  Whichever method you choose, the end result will be spectacular and there are endless possibilities as to the toppings you can use to dress up your pizza.

Ingredients for Basic Pizza Dough:

• 3 ½ cups flour, divided
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions for making Basic Pizza Dough in a Bread Machine:

• (Please refer to your user’s manual for best settings.)  Add ingredients to bread machine bin in the order listed above unless user’s manual specifies otherwise.
• Select the dough setting, push start and complete full cycle.  When complete, place dough on a floured surface in in a floured bowl and cool to room temperature before rolling out.

Directions for making Basic Pizza Dough in a Food Processor:

• Use dough blade or cutting blade.  Pour 1 cup warm water (at least 85° F) in processor.  Add sugar and salt and mix on low for about 15 to 20 seconds.
• Add yeast and mix on low again for about 5 to 10 seconds.  Add 1 cup flour and mix on low for 10 to 15 seconds.
• Add olive oil and mix until they blend well.  Add remaining flour and mix on high until the dough turns into a ball.
• Turn machine off, open it and touch dough to check its texture.  If dough is too wet, add 1 tablespoon flour and mix again on high.  Continue adding 1 tablespoon flour at a time until dough is right consistency.
• If dough is too dry, add 1 tablespoon warm water and mix again on high.  Continue adding 1 tablespoon water at a time until dough is the right consistency.
• Remove dough from food processor and place on floured surface.  Knead dough for about 1 to 2 minutes, form into a ball, and place in floured bowl covered with a lightly moist paper towel.  Store bowl in warm, dry area to rise for about 45 minutes.
• When dough doubles, punch it down to release air and knead for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.  Place covered bowl with dough in warm, dry area for additional 1 to 1½ hours to rise again.  Dough is ready to roll out.

Directions for making Basic Pizza Dough by hand:

• Pour warm water into a bowl.  Add sugar and salt and mix until they blend well.  Add yeast and mix again.  Set aside for about 5 minutes.
• Add 1 cup flour and olive oil and blend well.  Add remaining flour and mix well until dough turns into a ball.
• If dough is too wet, add 1 tablespoon flour and mix well.  Continue adding 1 tablespoon flour at a time until dough is the right consistency.
• If dough is too dry, add 1 tablespoon warm water and mix well.  Continue add 1 tablespoon warm water until dough is the right consistency.
• Place dough on floured surface and knead dough about 1 to 2 minutes.  Form into ball, place into lightly floured bowl and cover with lightly moist paper towel.  Store bowl in warm, dry area for about 45 minutes to rise.
• When dough doubles in size, punch down to release air and knead for additional 1 to 2 minutes.  Place covered bowl with dough in warm, dry area for additional for 1 to 1 ½ hours to rise again.  Dough is now ready to roll.

Directions for rolling Basic Pizza Dough:

• Place dough on floured surface.
• If mixture appears too sticky, sprinkle extra flour over top.  Place both hands in center and press outward and turn clockwise.  Continue process until dough is about 1/2 inch thick.
• Use rolling pin to roll to about 1/4 inch thick.  Carefully transfer dough to greased baking sheet prepared with non-stick spray or paddle to transfer to pizza stone.
• Use fork to puncture some holes in dough to prevent bubbling.  Dough is ready for toppings.