How to Make a REAL New York Slice at Home

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a real New York-style pizza at home, inspired by Charlie Anderson's video. This guide covers everything from making the dough and sauce to assembling and baking the pizza, ensuring you can enjoy a delicious slice that rivals your favorite pizzeria.

Step 1: Make the Dough

Creating the perfect pizza dough is crucial for a New York slice. Follow these steps:

1. Gather Ingredients

   • High-Gluten Flour
   • Bread Flour
   • Vital Wheat Gluten
   • Spelt Flour
   • Rye Flour
   • Semola Flour
   • Water
   • Salt
   • Yeast

2. Mix the Dough

   • In a large bowl, combine the flours and vital wheat gluten.
   • In a separate container, mix water, salt, and yeast until dissolved.
   • Gradually add the liquid mixture to the flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough

   • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   • Ensure the dough is not too sticky; add a little more flour if necessary.

4. First Rise

   • Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
   • Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

5. Divide and Shape

   • Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into portions (typically 2-3 for 12-inch pizzas).
   • Shape each portion into a tight ball and place on a floured surface.

6. Second Rise

   • Cover the dough balls with a damp cloth and let them rest for another hour.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

A simple yet flavorful sauce is key to a great pizza. Here's how to prepare it:

1. Gather Ingredients

   • Crushed tomatoes (recommendations include Redpack, Cento, or Bianco DiNapoli)
   • Olive oil
   • Garlic (minced)
   • Salt
   • Sugar (optional)
   • Fresh basil (optional)

2. Prepare the Sauce

   • In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned.
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes and season with salt. Add sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic.

3. Simmer

   • Let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes to develop flavors.
   • If using fresh basil, add it towards the end of cooking.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Pizza

Now it’s time to put everything together and bake your pizza.

1. Preheat the Oven

   • Preheat your oven to the highest setting (usually around 500°F or 260°C) and place a baking steel or pizza stone inside to heat up.

2. Shape the Dough

   • On a floured surface, take one dough ball and gently stretch it out into a round shape, about 12 inches in diameter. Avoid using a rolling pin to maintain air in the crust.

3. Add Sauce and Toppings

   • Spread a thin layer of sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
   • Sprinkle with low-moisture mozzarella cheese and add any additional toppings of your choice.

4. Bake the Pizza

   • Carefully transfer the assembled pizza to the hot baking steel or stone using a wooden pizza peel.
   • Bake for about 7-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

5. Cool and Slice

   • Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes on a cooling rack.
   • Slice and enjoy your homemade New York-style pizza!

Conclusion

You’ve now successfully made a real New York-style pizza at home! Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different toppings and techniques. For more tips on pizza-making, consider checking out additional resources or courses that can help you elevate your skills further. Enjoy your cooking!