| Perhaps one of the most famous Italian foods is pizza. | | | | the yeast so that your dough starts to rise. Start |
| It is hard to find someone that doesn't like pizza, | | | | combining the dry ingredients with the water using your |
| especially since pizza artisans can create the perfect | | | | hands. This will cause a ball of dough to start to form. |
| food with whatever toppings your heart desires. | | | | For a more finished flavor, you can add in a small |
| However for a more authentic experience, you should | | | | amount of olive oil and milk to the dough. You will need |
| give pizza making a whirl at home. Creating the | | | | to continue working the dough until all of the ingredients |
| perfect pizza dough is not as hard as it sounds, and | | | | are combined and you have a smooth ball. If the dough |
| will beat the ready-made variety hands down. You and | | | | remains too wet, add a little more flour to the mixture |
| your family will be delighted with the results, and you | | | | until it reaches the desired consistency. It should |
| will wonder why you have never given it a try before | | | | maintain its shape and not cling to the sides. |
| now. | | | | Rising Up |
| What You Will Need To Get Started | | | | Once you have your pizza dough at the desired size, |
| Making your own pizza dough is not as difficult as it | | | | remove it from the bowl. Pour in enough olive oil to |
| might seem. You really only need a few ingredients | | | | give the bowl a coating. Return the dough to the bowl |
| and a large bowl. The following is a simple recipe that | | | | and turn several times so that it is coated in oil. Doing |
| will make enough for two plate-sized pizzas - enough | | | | so will prevent a dry crust from forming. Allow the |
| for at least two people, maybe four if you have other | | | | dough to sit in the bowl in a warm part of the kitchen |
| dishes available. Remember, Italian pizzas are designed | | | | for two to three hours. It needs to double in size |
| to be personal-sized so that everyone can have | | | | before you are ready to move on to the next step. |
| exactly what they would like on them. You will need | | | | Prepping For Toppings |
| 400 grams (about 14 ounces) of strong white bread | | | | Once your pizza dough has properly risen, you will |
| flour. If you can find doppio zero flour, that is even | | | | want to punch it down to remove the excess air. Flour |
| better. Pour the flour into a bowl, add a few grinds of | | | | your work surface and work the dough out. Cut it into |
| salt, and then mix in one packet of dried active yeast. | | | | two and work each piece into your desired shape. |
| Mix well. | | | | Whether you want a round or square pizza is up to |
| Preparing The Pizza Dough | | | | you and will depend on the type of tray or stone that |
| Once you have all the dry ingredients together for | | | | you will be baking it on. Allow the dough to rise for |
| your pizza dough, it is time to get kneading. Pour in 250 | | | | another 30 minutes on the baking tray. Top as desired |
| milliliters of warm water (about a cup). This will activate | | | | and bake to create your perfect pizza. |