Ok, the results are in for the Pourable Pizza Dough Experiment, thanks to Pete's calculations. I am new to Pizza making so please remember that I am not trained in all the technical descriptions of crumb, texture, etc. The only thing I've learned so far is ANYTHING is better than frozen pizza, which I hated more and more the older I got, finally to the point of being determined to learn how make my own pizza. This began about 4 years ago, when I ordered the San Francisco Sourdough Culture from Ed Wood. While trying to learn how to work with it, I discovered Jeff Varasano's legendary page. I was quite overwhelmed, as Ryan (codeninedesign) says on his blog. On his page Ryan says it took him months to get through the text. It took me about 4 years. A few months ago I was finally able to shrink all of the photos and reduce the font size into a MS Word document that was "printer friendly". I printed it, bound it, and I have been working on studying it, slow and steady and I'm almost ready to give it a try.
My first baking experience with pizza was with a source I felt I could trust, America's Test Kitchen (ATK). I saw their episode about Pepperoni Pan Pizza on PBS last summer and printed the recipe from their webpage. I gave it a try and could hardly believe how good it was, like I said, with only a history of frozen pizza to judge it against. Not only was it good, it was quite easy and turned out PERFECT! So, before I post my Pourable Pizza Dough Results I would like to post the recipe for the Pepperoni Pan Pizza from ATK because I used several of their methods in my Pourable Pizza Dough making.
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Pepperoni Pan Pizza
from the Episode: Pizza Party
Makes two 9-inch pizzas serving 4 to 6
Dough
½ cup olive oil
¾ 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
½ 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 (⅛ cup –er) 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.
