Pizza Crust Tips

After baking bread often last year (my roommates can attest to the many different kinds loafs of bread) I tried to take it one-step further. What came about was well rather flat in one respect, fun, and unique in the other. It's amazing how one basic dough recipe can transform into when you take it a step further. When it comes down to it, I've learned more than my fair share of mixing flavors in baking pizzas. Talking to a few friends, most people say what makes a pizza is the sauce. I'll agree with that, but for me that's not the pivotal point on a pizza. For me it's the Crust. Thin, Thick, Stuffed, or dessert or whatever way you like to throw it.  The crust is one thing people will remember because it's "usually" the last thing their taste buds will remember. Unless they eat it backward, but that's whole different discussion. Therefore, here are a few tips I've come to live by through trial and error when making pizzas.

-NEVER, buy a pre-made or packaged instant crust. If you want to make a pizza right put some time into it!


-If you’re going to add spices to a crust, know what the toppings on top and sauce are going to be. Then use spices in the crust to accent them.

-Adding a hard cheese (Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago) within crust can help make it softer

-Milk can add just the right amount of creamy texture while corn meal can add that just right pizza grit.

-Don’t be afraid to mix a little of the sauce into the crust to bring out a little extra flavor and it's something most people never expect

-Blend different flours i.e. Wheat and white flour.

-Sugar or a sweetener is great but not in excess because you risk killing the yeast

-Sea salt over convention table salt

-Use bread flour not multipurpose because throwing will be a lot easier

-If your in a pinch for time us a bread machine to kneed your dough then store it by either freezing it or in the refrigerator until you use it (1-2 days max)

-Ovens are great but if you want to have more control over the baking a "Pizzazz Pizza Oven" is also a useful alternative with no pre heating and can cut down on your energy usage if you want to be "green"...

-For College students I would recommend buying two things if your interested in making pizzas. First buy a bread machine they are usually cheap (5-10 dollars) at a thrift store and most likely not used because the average person who buys one uses it 2 or 3 times. In addition, buy a Pizzazz. Since your usually in a pinched for time this will help by freeing up a little extra time during the prep work.

-Don’t be afraid of trying something new because unique isn’t boring, it either a hit or back to the drawing board.


Eat Well

-DK