Ragusea method for pizza dough — no scale (plus month-old dough?)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pizza Dough by Feel

Ingredients:

• Water (about 100 mL per pizza or per portion per loaf)
• Yeast (approximately half a teaspoon)
• Flour (preferably King Arthur double zero pizza flour)
• Salt (to taste)
• Olive oil (a small amount)
• Optional: Coarse salt, garlic powder, pepper for seasoning

Equipment:

• Wooden spoon
• Glass containers with olive oil for storage
• Wet towel for covering the dough
• Pizza steel or baking sheet for baking

Step 1: Mixing the Dough

1. In a bowl, combine water and yeast. Add flour gradually while stirring with a wooden spoon until the dough reaches a sticky consistency.
2. Adjust the amount of flour based on the dough's stickiness. The dough should be moist but not too sticky to handle.

Step 2: Kneading and Resting

1. Cover the dough with a wet towel and let it rest for about 15 minutes. This allows the flour to hydrate and the dough to become less sticky.
2. Knead the dough gently with your hands to incorporate more flour if needed. The dough should be smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Portioning and Storage

1. Divide the dough into individual portions and roll them in olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Place the dough portions in glass containers lightly coated with olive oil for storage. Cover the containers and let the dough rise for a couple of hours.

Step 4: Preparing for Baking

1. Preheat the oven with a pizza steel or baking sheet inside at the highest temperature.
2. Shape the dough into pizzas, adding toppings as desired. For an old dough, use the underside facing up for a crispy texture.

Step 5: Baking

1. Place the pizzas on the preheated pizza steel or baking sheet in the oven.
2. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are cooked to your liking.

Step 6: Serving and Enjoying

1. Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool slightly before slicing.
2. Season with olive oil, garlic powder, pepper, and coarse salt if desired.
3. Serve and enjoy your homemade pizza!

Additional Notes:

• For long-term storage, freeze the dough after it has risen.
• Experiment with different toppings and flavors to customize your pizzas.
• Adjust the amount of flour and water based on the dough's consistency and your preference for the pizza's texture.

By following these steps, you can create delicious homemade pizzas using the Ragusea method without the need for a scale. Enjoy your freshly baked pizzas!