Pizza Dough

Im always trying to perfect my pizza dough.  While in NY last weekend, I came across Jim Lahey’s new book, My Pizza while sitting in Red’s apartment.  The pie on the cover immediately caught my eye and soon enough was quickly impressed with 1)his creative pizza topping variations and 2)by the look of his dough and crust.  I took a couple notes in my pad and experimented with the recipe this week.  It turned out to be a really nice combination of a doughy, yet crusty base.  Ill have to try again soon.

makes 2 large pizza doughs

Ingredients

  • 3 3/4 cups flour (all-purpose or whole wheat or half/half)
  • 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup water, warm

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, yeast and salt.  Add the water with a wooden spoon and mix thoroughly.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rise for 18 hours (or until it doubles in size).

Next, flour a surface and scrape out the dough.  Be careful in handling the dough though, you don’t want to mess with it too much – as little as possible.  Divide the dough into 2 parts and shape into a ball by pulling the outer parts toward the center, folding inward.  Then, turn the seam side down into a small mound.

If you are using the dough right away, begin to spread the dough working from the center.

If you plan to use it later, store in the fridge in plastic wrap and then leave on the counter for 3 hours or so prior to using.

mangia!

 

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Its been a while, and Ive got alot to catch up on, so Ill start with this delicious bread recipe I made for Meggies birthday feast.  It was inspired by this wonderfully cute 101cookbooks recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (105-115F)
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted, for brushing

Instructions

In a medium bowl, sprinkle the yeast onto the warm water and stir until the yeast dissolves. Stir in the honey and set aside for a few minutes.

In the meantime, mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir well.

Brush a loaf pan with some of the melted butter. Place the dough into the tin, cover with a clean, slightly damp cloth, and set in a warm place for 30 minutes, to rise.

Preheat the oven to 350F.  When ready, bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, until golden and pulling away from the sides of the pan.  Remove from oven, and remove the bread out of the pan fairly quickly. Let it cool on a rack so it doesn’t steam in the pan. Serve warm, with butter and jam.

Makes 1 loaf.

mangia!