The Best Homemade Pizza You'll Ever Eat

Introduction

Making homemade pizza is a delicious and rewarding experience. This tutorial will guide you through the process of crafting the best homemade pizza, from making the dough to assembling and baking your pizza. With just a few simple ingredients and some techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy a pizzeria-quality pizza right in your own kitchen.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Bloom the Yeast

   • In a bowl, mix warm water (should feel neutral to touch) with:
     • 1 packet of dried yeast
     • 1 teaspoon of sugar
   • Stir and let it sit until bubbles form, indicating the yeast is activated. If there are no bubbles, the yeast may be too old.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients

   • In a separate bowl, mix:
     • 4 cups of all-purpose flour
     • 2 teaspoons of salt (add this after the yeast is activated to avoid slowing it down)

3. Mix the Dough

   • Add the yeast mixture and:
     • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the flour mixture.
   • Stir until the flour is mostly hydrated.

4. Knead the Dough

   • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   • The dough should spring back when pressed.

5. Let the Dough Rise

   • Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, covering it with cling film to prevent sticking.
   • Allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or for a more flavorful dough, overnight.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Ingredients

1. Make the Sauce

   • Choose from different types of tomatoes (puree, crushed, diced, or whole).
   • If using whole tomatoes, crush them by hand or blend with an immersion blender.
   • Store any leftover sauce in a separate container, not in the tin can.

2. Prepare the Cheese

   • Use fresh mozzarella if possible; shred it yourself for better melting.
   • Consider other cheeses as toppings based on your preference.

Step 3: Shape the Pizza

1. Punch Down the Dough

   • After rising, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead briefly for 1-2 minutes to even out bubbles.

2. Shape the Dough

   • Use your fingers to poke and stretch the dough gently, allowing air bubbles to remain for a nice crust.
   • You can stretch it by hand or toss it in the air using a spinning motion.

3. Transfer to the Baking Surface

   • Prepare a baking sheet or pizza stone by preheating it in the oven.
   • Dust the surface with semolina or flour to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza

1. Add Sauce and Cheese

   • Quickly spread the sauce over the shaped dough.
   • Distribute shredded cheese evenly across the top.

2. Add Toppings

   • Consider classic toppings like pepperoni, or get creative with fresh ingredients like basil or ricotta.

3. Bake the Pizza

   • Transfer the pizza onto the preheated baking surface.
   • Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've made your own homemade pizza from scratch. Remember, the key to a great pizza is in the quality of the ingredients and the technique used. Feel free to experiment with different toppings and sauces to find your perfect combination. Enjoy your delicious creation and share it with friends and family!