Pepperoni & Mushroom Pizza

Preparation

The Dough – Thin Crust

Step 1  In a small bowl, bloom the yeast by slowly mixing the sugar and yeast with the warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes. The yeast is active when surface bubbles are formed.

Step 2  In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the flour and salt. In the middle of the flour/salt mixture create a bowl shape and pour in the the olive oil and bloomed yeast. Use a large spoon to mix until the flour is mostly hydrated and combined to form rough looking dough.

Step 3  Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until your dough is soft and smooth. The dough is ready when it becomes pliable and has some elasticity. From the bottom, continually fold the dough inward to create a tight round.

Step 4  Use the extra olive oil to grease a clean, large bowl and place the dough inside. Coat the dough with the oil by turning it on the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Rise for at least an hour in a warm climate or up to 24 hours in your fridge.

Step 5  Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a clean and lightly floured surface. Knead for about two minutes, then cut the dough into 4 equal portions and shape into tight rounds.

Step 6  Lightly flour your dough and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rest and rise for about an hour while you prepare the sauce and toppings.

Step 7  Place a pizza stone on the middle rack and preheat the oven as high as your oven will allow for about an hour (450-500˚F or 230-260˚C). If using a heavy duty baking sheet, reduce your preheating time.

The Sauce

Step 1  With a hand blender or food processor puree the tomatoes and kosher salt and set aside.

Step 2  This step is not required. It was add as a placeholder to create your own sauce. You may want to add spices, garlic, onion, or maybe some hot sauce. However, the more you add to the sauce the less it tastes like pizza. Skip to the next step.

The Pizza

Step 1  Once the dough has rested, test it by gently poking the dough with your finger. It should not deflate and bounce back into shape.

Step 2  Then on a clean lightly floured surface, stretch and press the dough into a thin round pizza shape. Working your way around to the outer crust. Make the crust thin as your pizza will shrink and your dough rise while in the oven.

Step 3  Sprinkle semolina flour or corn meal onto a pizza peel (the bottom side of a baking sheet can be used) and place the stretched crust onto it. Add the sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms, cheese, or your choice of toppings.

Step 4  Carefully slide your pizza onto the pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until the crust and cheese turn golden brown. If you are using baking sheets, a steel spatula may come in handy for this step.

Step 5  Remove your pizza from the oven, add any garnishes such as basil, oregano, or red pepper flakes. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes, slice, and eat.