Old World Pizza Dough
Original Source/Author: 
: Main Dish, baby!
 
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for rising
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons instant (bread machine) yeast
  • 4-1/2 cups bread flour, as needed
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
  1. To make the dough by hand, combine 1-3/4 cups cold water, the oil, and the yeast in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of flour and the salt. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a sticky dough that is too stiff to stir. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface. Knead, adding more flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic (this means that when you stretch the dough a couple of inches in the opposite directions, it snaps back into shape), about 5 minutes. The dough will remain slightly sticky, so don't overdo it with the flour. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To make the dough in a heavy-duty standing mixer, combine 1-3/4 cups cold water, the oil, and the yeast in the work bowl. Attach the bowl to the mixer and affix the paddle attachment. With the machine on low speed, add 1 cup of the flour and the salt. Gradually add enough of the flour to make a stiff, sticky dough that clears the sides of the bowl. Switch to the dough hook. Knead on medium-low speed, adding more flour if necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead briefly.
  2. Cut the dough into 6 equal pieces and form each into a ball. Pour a couple of tablespoons of the oil into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Place each ball into the dish, turn to completely coat with oil, and turn smooth side up in the dish, leaving space between the balls. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the covered dough for at least 12 hours and up to 3 days. (The dough can be frozen, each ball in its own small plastic freezer bag, for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours before using.) If you are really in a hurry, let the covered dough stand at room temperature until the balls double in size, about 1-1/2 hours, and skip the next step.
  3. About 3 hours before baking, pour a few tablespoons of oil in a clean bowl. One at a time, coat each ball in fresh oil, and return to the baking dish, smooth side up. Cover again with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled in size, about 2 hours. If the dough is really chilled from the refrigerator, it could take a little longer.
  4. One at a time, drop each ball onto a lightly floured work surface, and press on the dough to deflate it. Shape into a ball again, return to the dish, cover, and let stand at room temperature to relax for 20 minutes. The dough is now ready to become pizza!
Recipe by DCEP at http://www.dinosaurscanteatpizza.com/robyn-nance-try-the-same-recipe-old-world-pizza-dough-by-teresa-giudice-skinny-italian/