So I have tried making homemade pizza before numerous times and I have never been fully satisfied with the flavor. A couple weeks ago while watching America's Test Kitchen, they were answering a letter from a woman in MI who was looking for a recipe that would produce a perfectly crisp crust like the pizzarias. Now, I have watched America's Test Kitchen before, own a subscription to Cooks Illustrated, as well as the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook and I can honestly say that they have never let me down. So I was willing to try it but I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. (But let me tell you, it...was....delicious...and....perfect!Alright, so without further ado...here is the recipe for perfection ;o) The pizza sauce recipe can be found below.
Pepperoni Pan Pizza
by America's Test Kitchen
from the Episode: Pizza Party
Makes two 9-inch pizzas serving 4 to 6
Dough | |
| 1/2 | cup olive oil |
| 3/4 | cup skim milk plus 2 additional tablespoons, warmed to 110 degrees |
| 2 | teaspoons sugar |
| 2 1/3 | cups all-purpose flour , plus extra for counter |
| 1 | package instant yeast |
| 1/2 | teaspoon table salt |
Topping | |
| 1 | (3.5-ounce) package sliced pepperoni |
| 1 1/3 | cups tomato sauce |
| 3 | cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese |
1. To make the dough: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off. Lightly grease large bowl with cooking spray. Coat each of two 9-inch cake pans with 3 tablespoons oil.
2. Mix milk, sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in measuring cup. Mix flour, yeast, and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine to low and slowly add milk mixture. After dough comes together, increase speed to medium-low and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes. Turn dough onto lightly floured counter, gently shape into ball, and place in greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in warm oven until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
3. To shape and top the dough: Transfer dough to lightly floured counter, divide in half, and lightly roll each half into ball. Working with 1 dough ball at a time, roll and shape dough into 9 1/2-inch round and press into oiled pan. Cover with plastic wrap and set in warm spot (not in oven) until puffy and slightly risen, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees.
4. While dough rises, put half of pepperoni in single layer on microwave-safe plate lined with 2 paper towels. Cover with 2 more paper towels and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Discard towels and set pepperoni aside; repeat with new paper towels and remaining pepperoni.
5. Remove plastic wrap from dough. Ladle 2/3 cup sauce on each round, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges. Sprinkle each with 1 1/2 cups cheese and top with pepperoni. Bake until cheese is melted and pepperoni is browning around edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; let pizzas rest in pans for 1 minute. Using spatula, transfer pizzas to cutting board and cut each into 8 wedges. Serve.
Pizza Dough without a Mixer
In step 2, mix the flour, yeast, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the flour, then pour the milk mixture into the well. Using a wooden spoon, stir until the dough becomes shaggy and difficult to stir. Turn out onto a heavily floured work surface and knead, incorporating any shaggy scraps. Knead until the dough is smooth, about 10 minutes. Shape into a ball and proceed as directed.
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I didn't use their recipe for the sauce (mainly because I didn't have time to cook it). Instead I searched for a recipe and ended up on AllRecipes. I took the advice of some of the reviewers as well as tweaked it a bit. I will provide the recipe based on a reviewer and then you can add whatever you would like to taste. I personally added about a tsp more sugar and about a Tbsp of Pizza Seasoning that had come with our spice rack from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I also used fresh garlic and fresh basil (which I upped the amount to 1 Tbsp of basil because it was fresh)
Pizza Sauce
from AllRecipes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon ground oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon basil (I used 1 Tbsp of fresh minced basil)
- 1/2 tsp sugar (I added a tsp more of sugar)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp Pizza Seasoning (optional)
DIRECTIONS
- In a medium bowl, Mix together tomato sauce and tomato paste until smooth. Stir in oregano, garlic and paprika, basil, sugar, and onion powder.
