WHAT IS PIZZA DOUGH?
Flour and water are combined with 3 to 4 other ingredients to make the most famous tomato sauce delivery system known to man. While the thickness, style and flavor of cooked pizza dough may vary greatly by country – all connoisseurs are in agreement to the importance of the dough.
SUGGESTIONS WHEN MAKING PIZZA DOUGH
- Can You Make Pizza Dough Ahead?
A good quality dough is a great thing to keep on hand–you can use it for traditional pizza or other flat breads. You can make this recipe and store in the refrigerator for a few days–just bring to room temperature before using or it will be difficult to shape.
- Does the Dough Have to Rest?
Yes it needs a little nap before you roll it out for your toppings. This gives the gluten strands time to relax so the dough isn’t tough. The resting time also helps the dough rise a bit more. After the first rise, let your dough rest for 15 minutes or so at room temperature.
- Should I roll it out or poke it?
A rolling pin is not the way to go when shaping pizza dough–instead gently flatten the dough disk with your palm and then push on it with the tips of your fingers starting from the middle of the disk and working evenly toward the ends to the desired thickness.
WHAT PAIRS WELL WITH PIZZA DOUGH?
This is such a versatile food that there isn’t much you can’t serve with it. Obviously tomato-sauce based pizzas are #1 on the list. But other functional toppings range from salads to Tikka Masala to even Cookies and Creme! (written by Chef Stef)