I often go on little (well they end up being big) foodie adventures to master methods of foods I've loved my whole life. Recently, all I could think about was perfecting my pizza dough. Seriously, I'd drive to work thinking of my ingredients, I'd research on my work lunch break what the perfect pizza meant in Napoli, Italy and I'd be thinking of the perfect toppings as I drifted off to sleep at night.
I was that determined to make the perfect pizza dough! Covid-19 isolation gave me a little more time to test... not heaps though because I have an 'essential' day job so I wasn't always home. I think I've found the perfect pizza dough now. It's easy and delicious!
This year I have been fortunate to add what I truly believe to be a 'must have' in all backyards.... a Maximus wood fired oven made by Authentic Pizza Ovens. You may remember me mentioning it on International Pizza Day. I can't speak highly enough about it. It cooks so many foods and of course has enabled me to cook delicious pizza (in 3 minutes may I add!) at home for my family, even better than most restaurants.
I've created many dough recipes in my time but even more so since getting the Maximus wood fire oven. Being so determined to create the 'perfect' dough has meant I've had to make and eat lots of pizzas. Let me tell you, I made sure I did not weigh myself during this perfect pizza dough quest because I was eating a lot of pizza! I did enjoy every mouthful but in the end I created two dough recipes. One for the crispy crust lovers and one for the folding soft chewy pizza lovers.
During this pizza adventure or quest or whatever I should call it, I even read the 'The True Neapolitan Pizza Association' guidelines. The association is in Napoli, Italy and the guidelines for every ingredient, method and result will astound you. On my 'Must Do List' is to attend some cooking courses at the association one day.
Whilst my dough recipes wont get me an award at the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana,AVPN, they will provide you with delicious pizzas cooked in a wood fire oven or your indoor oven. Let's look at my two recipes now -
Come Grill With Me Pizza Dough Recipe - For Crispy Crust Lovers
Makes 3 pizzas - 12 inch (30 cm round)
Before you begin
Yeast ~ Crumble 30 grams of fresh yeast or add 7 grams of dry yeast in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon fine sugar and 20mls warm water to cover it (make sure it's not too hot or you'll kill the yeast!). Stir the yeast gently until it dissolves in the water. Let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes and then it's ready to use.
Step one
In a bowl mix:-
- 520 grams Bakers Flour
- 330 mls warm water
- 30 grams yeast or 7 grams of dry yeast (dissolved in 20mls of water & 1/2 teaspoon sugar)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Step two - Mix all ingredients until well combined. Knead the dough on a floured bench until smooth and elastic.
(The dough will be sticky but wont end up all over your fingers. Similar to kids slime to touch)
Step three - Place the dough in an oiled bowl (using an oil spray) and cover with a tea towel. Let the dough rest for a minimum of 2 hours.
Step four- Then punch the dough down and divide into 3 balls and let them rest for at least 30 mins to an 1 hour before using it.
Step five - Using a rolling pin or your hands, roll out and flatten each ball. You now have a pizza base ready to add all your yummy ingredients to.
Come Grill With Me Pizza Dough Recipe - For Folding Soft Pizza Lovers
Makes 3 pizzas - 12 inch (30 cm round)
Before you begin
Yeast ~ Crumble 30 grams of fresh yeast or 7 grams of dry yeast in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon fine sugar and 20mls warm water to cover it (make sure it's not too hot or you'll kill the yeast!). Stir the yeast gently until it dissolves in the water. Let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes and then it's ready to use.
Step one
In a bowl mix:-
- 520 grams '00' Flour
- 330 mls warm water
- 30 grams yeast or 7 grams dry yeast (dissolved in 20mls of water & 1/2 teaspoon sugar)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt
Step two - Mix all ingredients until well combined. Knead the dough on a floured bench until smooth and elastic.
(The dough will be sticky but wont end up all over your fingers. Similar to kids slime to touch)
Step three - Place the dough in an oiled bowl (using an oil spray) and cover with a tea towel. Let the dough rest for a minimum of 2 hours.
Step four - Then punch the dough down and divide into 3 balls and let them rest for at least 30 mins to an 1 hour before using it.
Step five - Using a rolling pin or your hands, roll out and flatten each ball. You now have a pizza base ready to add all your yummy ingredients to.
TIPS
- Using a wood fired oven, get the temperature up to 300c to 400c.
- In an indoor oven, use a pizza stone and get the heat up to 230/240c
I would love to see a pizza you create on Instagram. Be sure to tag me, Come Grill With Me so I can check it out. Love, Irene XO