I’m becoming a pizza snob. Eating frozen pizzas and low-rent pizza-chain pizza are out in my book*. I just can’t do it anymore. The cardboard, the grease, the heartburn, uninspiring toppings, blah. So I’ve resorted to trying my hand at making my own pizzas at home. Now eventually I’m hoping to get a wood-fire oven, but until then my poor 500 degree oven is going to have to do.
So on my quest for the “perfect” homemade pizza I have a list of about 10 recipes from various resources that I’ve been slowly gathering but this week I’m starting with Buddy Valastro. I’ll admit it, I love the Cake Boss. I think that whole crew is hilarious and someday I’d love to see the bakery in person but trying his Kitchen Boss recipes are the next best thing. So I went after the Margarita Pizza episode and I must say, it turned out really good! Light toppings, homemade sauce and homemade dough, totally worth the time it makes and I’d make it again in a heartbeat, BOOKMARKED and STARRED! Alton Brown, your pizza is next.
*Unless it’s Lazzari’s in Lincoln NE before a Husker game. woot!Buddy’s Pizza Dough Recipe
15 ounces unbleached a.p. flour (approx 3 1/4 cups)
9 ounces tepid water
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
PREPARATION:
Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle and mix, low, until mixture comes together. Switch to the dough hook and continue mixing, medium-low, another 3-4 minutes. Check dough – if too dry, add a bit more water. If too sticky, add a bit more flour.
Dump dough onto a lightly floured countertop or board and continue to knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, 5- 7 minutes. Form dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl, turn to coat, and cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Let rest 1/2 hr. to 45 minutes until risen.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and press down to deflate. Cut the dough into thirds (or desired portions), and form into tight balls to press air out.
At this point, you can place the balls of dough on a floured board covered with oiled plastic or a towel, and let rise one hour if you want to use the dough today. Alternately, place the dough on a lightly floured tray, cover with oiled plastic and refrigerate overnight. Allow dough to sit a room temperature 10-15 minutes before shaping/baking.
Buddy’s Pizza Sauce
1 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 smashed clove garlic
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 Tablespoon sugar
Salt to taste
Prep: Throw into a food processor until smooth, let set for an hour to let the flavors marry.
Buddy’s Margarita Pizza
INGREDIENTS
1 ball Buddy’s Pizza Dough (see recipe above)
1/4 cup Buddy’s Pizza Sauce (see recipe above)
4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/4″ thick, drained on paper towels (The kind that’s a ball, NOT SHREDDED)
6 leaves fresh basil (I used 10 and chopped them)
Salt
Best-quality extra virgin olive oil
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 500° with a pizza stone on bottom rack.
Pat, stretch and roll dough out to a 9-10″ round. Gently place dough on a floured peel (a.p. flour or semolina). With the back of a large spoon or ladle, spread sauce over dough allowing for a 1/2″ border.
Tear the basil randomly over the pizza. Tear the mozzarella over the pizza as well.
Slide the pizza onto the stone. Bake until crust is golden brown and cheese bubbles about 7-10 minutes. Remove the pizza with the peel and sprinkle with a small pinch salt and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.