I am still working through Peter Reinharts book Artisan Breads Every Day. I have searched and searched and searched for that perfect pizza pie crust. I think, I may have found it! I am not blowing smoke. I think this may have been the best homemade pizza that has ever came out of my kitchen.
I did not just make it for me. Believe it or not I made it for three families. I made one large pizza for my husband and I. I made one large pizza for my buddy who had surgery and was need of some taking care of. I made another one for my bf who watched my kiddos when my husband and I went out to dinner. YES, it was that good. It got rave reviews from all.
It was the crust! My girlfriend said it was the buttery and favorite pizza crust she has ever had!
The Amazing Pizza Crust by Peter Reinhart. (It is really really easy and so so worth the time. Trust me.)
from Artisan Breads Every Day
5 1/3 cp. unbleached bread flour
2 tsp. salt or 1 tb. kosher salt
1 tsp. yeast
2 TB sugar
2 cps + 2 TB water at room temperature
2 TB olive oil (you will need more. Lots more.)
1. Combine all the ingredients with paddle attachment. Mix for 1 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes until it is fully hydrated.
2. Mix with dough hook or by hand for 2 to 3 minutes. Spread 1 TB of oil on the work surface and add the dough. Stretch and fold the dough. It says to divide into 5 personal sizes. I separated it into three lg. pizza sizes. Add to a greased freezer bag and put in the fridge. Let sit in the fridge for 24 hours or up to 4 days. It will last in the freezer for months!
3. When ready to bake remove 90 minutes before baking time. With olive oil hands stretch and round into tight. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature until ready to bake.
4. Preheat oven. Stretch the crust with oiled hands until desired size. I bake my on 415.
My Pizza Sauce:
1 8oz. can tomato paste
The same 8 oz. can with water and scrapped clean
1/4 cp. grated parm
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
salt and pepper
Add all in small sauce pan cook until warm.
Top with favorite toppings. I made pasta with meatballs and sausage the night before, so I sliced the meatballs and sausage very thin for the pizza.
