Pizza Crust

This is the pizza crust recipe from the cookbook that came with my first bread machine.

Pizza Crust

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups flour
• 2-1/4 tsp. yeast

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients into bread maker in the order given; use Dough cycle.
2. When dough is ready, divide in half and let rest for 10 minutes.  Then roll or pat each half into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.  Place on prepared pizza pans; cover and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Bake each crust in preheated 400° oven 5-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
4. Remove from oven and spread with favorite pizza toppings.  return to oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese and toppings are melted and bubbling.

I found this next recipe on Pinterest and used it last time I made pizza, because I couldn't find the bread machine cookbook.  I just used my bread machine with these ingredients.  I liked this one a lot, so I'm trying to compare the two recipes to see what the difference is.  It looks like - more water, more flour, more salt.

Basic Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 1-3/4 cups warm water
• 2 T olive oil
• 1½ tsp. salt
• 4 cups bread flour
• 2¼ tsp. yeast

 Follow above directions, or click on the recipe name for the original recipe directions and tips.
 

Update: I loved this crust fresh, but froze half of it as suggested in the recipe.  I did like she said, "Freeze the dough until it is ready to be used.   The day you plan to use the dough, transfer it to the refrigerator in the morning to thaw in time for dinner that evening." and, "Before making the pizza, take the dough out of the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take off the chill." - and it just wasn't very good at all.  Maybe if I get a pizza stone? I really need to get one.  But, for now, as easy as the dough is to make in the bread machine, there's really no reason not to make it fresh - except that I don't always need to make two pizzas.

I've also been experimenting with using my sourdough starter:

Sourdough Pizza Crust

Ingredients:

• 1cup starter
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 cup unbleached flour

Mix and allow to sit until active and bubbly.  Then stir in:

• 1 T olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Add to make a soft dough:

• 1 to 1-1/2 cups unbleached flour

Use additional flour for kneading.

Directions:

1. After mixing and kneading, let rise 2 hours or until doubled in size.
2. Punch down and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.  Then roll or pat each half into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.  Place on prepared pizza pans; cover and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Bake each crust in preheated 400° oven 5-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
4. Remove from oven and spread with favorite pizza toppings.  return to oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese and toppings are melted and bubbling.

Now to figure out which recipe I like best. Right now I'm thinking the middle one - the one I found on Pinterest, but I also like the sourdough recipe. I just have to remember to start in plenty of time for that one, or dinner is late. Like tonight.