How to make the perfect pizza dough for a real Italian pizza?

Detective Pux here, and I'm here to show you how to make the perfect pizza dough for a real Italian pizza from scratch. But before we get into the recipe, let me first explain what makes a real Italian pizza.

A real Italian pizza is made with a thin, crispy crust, a simple tomato sauce, and high-quality ingredients such as mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. It's typically cooked in a wood-fired oven, which gives it a unique flavor and texture.

When it comes to making pizza dough, the type of flour you use can make a big difference in the final product. For a traditional Italian pizza, it's best to use "00" flour. This type of flour is a finely ground, high-protein flour that is specifically designed for making pizza and pasta. It has a lower gluten content than all-purpose flour, which makes it perfect for creating a crispy, thin crust.

If you can't find "00" flour, you can use a combination of all-purpose flour and bread flour. The all-purpose flour will provide structure, while the bread flour will add chewiness. Alternatively, you can use semolina flour or durum wheat flour, both of which are commonly used in Italian pasta-making and will give a nice texture to the pizza crust.

Now, for the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 package of active dry yeast
  • 1 cup of warm water
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
  2. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
  3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture. Mix well until the dough comes together.
  4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
  6. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into 2 equal pieces.
  7. Roll out each piece of dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
  8. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet or pizza stone and add your toppings.
  9. Bake the pizza at 425°F for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

And there you have it, the perfect pizza dough for a real Italian pizza from scratch. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go solve a case. But before I go, let me leave you with one final piece of advice: don't skimp on the ingredients, use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best results. And remember, if it's not perfect the first time, don't worry, it's all part of the detective work. Happy cooking!