suemunzlinger's Recipe

Thin Herb Pizza Dough

Category: Main Dish

3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F.)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
2 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons instant active dry yeast

Preparation

Bread Machine Recipe:

Add all the dough ingredients (in the order listed) in the bread pan of bread machine. Process according to manufacturer instructions for a dough setting. NOTE: Do not be afraid to open the lid and check the dough. It should form a nice elastic ball.

Check the dough It should form a nice elastic ball. If you think the dough is too moist, add additional flour (a tablespoon at a time). The same is true if the dough is looking dry and gnarly. Add warm water (a tablespoon at a time). If you can not judge your dough by looking, stick your finger in and feel the dough. It should be slightly tacky to the touch.

Standup Mixer Recipe:

In a large bowl or in the bowl of a 5 quart stand mixer, add all the dough ingredients. Using dough hook, mix everything together into a uniform dough. The dough should form a nice elastic ball.


Meanwhile preheat the Pizza Stone or tiles to 450 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Prepare your favorite pizza toppings.

When the bread machine has completed the dough cycle, remove the dough from the pan to a lightly oiled surface. Knead the dough several times and form the dough into an oval; cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.

NOTE: Dough may be refrigerated at this point and stored until ready to use. To store each batch of dough, spray a plastic bag with nonstick spray and place the dough in it. Store no longer than 7 to 10 days, or if frozen for up to 2 months. If refrigerated or frozen prior to use, allow the portions to come to room temperature before they are rolled out.


Shaping Pizza Dough:

When the pizza dough is done, remove the dough from the bread machine to a lightly-floured surface. Knead the dough several times and form the dough into an oval; cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.

After the 10 minute rest period, on a lightly-floured surface, pressing down with floured fingertips, shape the dough into a small, flat disk. Working from the center, push the dough outward while spreading your fingers, making the disk larger.

Pick up the dough. Move your hands along the edges, allowing gravity to pull the dough into a 14-inch circle, oval, or rectangle.


When ready to assemble your pizza:

Place the dough on the prepared Pizza Peel. The dough must be docked. NOTE: Thin pizza crusts usually need to be well docked to help control blistering and bubble formation during baking. This just means to prick it all over the middle part (not the edges) so that it doesn't inflate. Either use a dough docker or use a fork to prick the dough thoroughly.


Pre-cook the pizza crust for approximately 4 minutes before adding any toppings. After pre-cooking, remove the partially baked crust from the oven and pop any large air pockets with a fork. Let crust cool before topping (this will produce a crispy and chewy crust).


Adding pizza ingredients (toppings):

Brush the preheated dough with some olive oil and layer your favorite pizza ingredients (toppings).


Baking the prepared pizza:

Bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes in your preheated oven until the crust is golden brown on the bottom and the top is bubbly.

Remove your pizza from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving pan. This cooling down step allows the crust to stay crisp while it cools.

Once cool, using your Pizza Cutter or Pizza Wheel, cut your pizza into slices and serve.

Makes 1 (14-inch) large pizza or 2 (6-inch) individual pizzas.