Perfect Pizza Dough from The Bread Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum
8 ounces preferably unbleached all-purpose or Italian-style flour - or whole wheat pastry flour 1 tsp. instant yeast 1 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt ⅔ c. liquid cup water at room temperature (70 to 90 degrees) 4 tsp. olive oil
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and sugar. Whisk in the salt (this keeps the yeast from coming into direct contact with the salt, which would kill it). Make a well in the center and pour in the water. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, gradually stir the flour into the water until all the flour is moistened and a dough just begins to form, about 20 seconds. It should come away from the bowl but still stick to it a little, and be a little rough-looking, not silky smooth. Do not overmix, as this will cause the dough to become stickier.
Pour the oil into a 2-cup measuring cup (to give the dough room to double in size) or a small bowl. With oiled fingers or an oiled spatula, place the dough in the oiled cup and turn it over to coat on all sides with the oil. Cover it tightly. If you want to use the dough soon, allow it to sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled. For the best flavor development, make the dough at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours ahead, and allow it to sit at room temperature for only 30 minutes or until slightly puffy. Then set the dough, still in the measuring cup, in the refrigerator. Remove it 1 hour before you want to put it in the oven.
Preheat the oven or grill to 475 degrees 1 hour before baking. Have an oven shelf at the lowest level and place a baking stone on it before preheating. With oiled fingers, lift the dough out of the measuring cup or bowl. Holding the dough in one hand, pour a little of the oil left in the cup or bowl onto the pizza pan, and spread it all over the pan with your fingers. Set the dough on the pan and press it down with your fingers to deflate it gently. Shape it into a smooth round by tucking under the edges. If there are any holes, knead it very lightly until smooth. Allow the dough to sit for 15 minutes, covered, to relax it.
Using your fingertips, press the dough from the center to the outer edge to stretch it into a 10-inch circle, leaving the outer ½ inch thicker than the rest to form a lip. If the dough resists stretching (as will happen if you have activated the gluten by overkneading it), cover it with plastic wrap and let it rest for a few minutes longer before proceeding. Brush the surface of the dough with any remaining olive oil. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for 30 to 45 minutes, until it becomes light and slightly puffy with air. Set the pizza pan directly on the hot stone and bake for 5 minutes.\
Remove the pan from the oven and spread toppings (such as Pizza Tomato Sauce) over the dough. Return the pan to the stone for 5 minutes or until the toppings have melted and the crust is golden; or, for an extra-crisp and browned bottom crust, using a pancake turner or baker’s peel, slide the pizza from the pan directly onto the stone. After 2 minutes, slip a small metal spatula under one edge of the pizza; if the bottom is golden, raise the pizza to a higher shelf. Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and cut with a pizza wheel, sharp knife, or scissors. Serve hot.
Pizza Sauce 1 small can tomato paste (6 oz) 1 ½ - 2 c water 1 T Penzey’s Pasta Sprinkle or ½ t each dried oregano, thyme, and basil, plus ¼ t garlic powder
Mix all ingredients in a pyrex measuring cup until smooth. Add salt to taste.
Strawberry Hand Pies Coconut Oil Crust
1 ½ c unbleached white flour, chilled 1 c whole wheat flour, chilled (we used 300 grams of Whole Wheat Pastry Flour total) 1 t baking powder 4 T sugar ½ t salt ¾ c coconut Oil 2 t Apple Cider Vinegar 8-10 T ice water
Toss the flours, baking powder, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl.
Measure the coconut oil. You have to scrape it out of the container with a spoon, since it hardens in the fridge. Toss the coconut oil with the dry ingredients, coating the hardened pieces with flour which makes the pieces easier to break up and work in. Work the oil into the flour with your fingers the coconut oil should be distributed into different size pebbles, all of the m small. break up any large clumps or pebbles into smaller pebbles. Make sure there are no clumps larger than a pea
Add cider vinegar to ice water. Drizzle liquid into the dough a spoonful at a time, mixing in each as you go. You have enough water in the dough when it holds together when squeezed in your hand. Do not add any more water than is absolutely necessary.
Gather the dough into two balls and flatten it into disks. Wrap disks in plastic and refrigerate for 45 minutes before rolling. The dough keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator, or for 2 weeks in the freezer Strawberry Filling and Pie Assembly
1 lb strawberries ½ c sugar 2 T cornstarch 1 T fresh lemon juice 1 t vanilla extract
Make dough (above or below) then divide the dough in two, roll each piece into 2 logs about 6” long. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30-45 minutes or until ready to use. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Slice strawberries and rhubarb into ¼ “ slices Put them in a mixing bowl and mix with other ingredients. Place filling in freezer while you roll out dough. Roll log into 14x7 rectangle. Trim edges. Slice rectangle in half to form 2 squares. Slice squares in half to form smaller rectangles. Dip fingertips in water, wet edge of pastry. Scoop scant ¼ c into one half of the pastry and fold it over, run your finger along edges to press it closed. Press fork in edges to create crimped pattern. Transfer hand pie to baking sheet and continue. Brush water on top and sprinkle with sugar, cut 3 slits to let steam escape. Bake for 30-35 minutes on 2 separate racks, switching pans halfway through baking so they bake evenly. The pies are ready when the edges are browned and the filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.