Pizza Dough (part two)

INGREDIENTS

Flour, all purpose or bread, 28 oz (779 grams) (6.5 cups of King Arthur Brand or 6 cups of Gold Medal brand; see note)

389.5g (for 2) Flour (195g for 1)

Water, 17.4 oz (514.5 ml) (cool to room temp) (a little less than 2¼ cups)

257.25ml (for 2) water (128.625ml for 1)

Instant dry yeast, 1 teaspoon (3.5 grams)

1.75g (for 2) yeast (0.875g for 1)

Salt, 2.5 teaspoons (15.6 grams)

7.8g (for 2) salt (3.9g for 1)

Sugar, 2 teaspoons (7.8 grams) (optional)

3.9g (for 2) sugar (1.95g for 1)

Olive oil, 3 teaspoons (11.8 ml)

5.9ml (for 2) olive oil (2.95ml for 1)

INSTRUCTIONS

Place water in mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix salt and yeast into flour

Combine flour/salt/yeast mixture into water and mix until all the flour has been incorporated.

After flour has been totally incorporated, add oil and knead for about 4 to 5 minutes (see note)

Test final dough temperature, which should ideally be between high 70s to low 80s (optional)

Divide dough into 4 equal pieces (using a digital scale if possible; each ball should weigh 11.5 oz [~326 grams]) and place in sealed quart-sized container or freezer bag and refrigerate overnight or up to 72 hours (After much experimenting, I have concluded that I like 3 days best).

The following day, remove your dough balls within 1 or 2 hours of baking and allow the dough to come to room temperature. (the dough will tend to blister more if the dough has not been allowed to come to room temperature)

In the meantime, place your pizza stone in oven and preheat at 550 degrees (depending on thickness of your stone and your oven's power) for at least 1 hour

Open each dough ball using care not to degas, transfer to a pre-floured pizza peel (or on parchment paper), and top with your favorite sauce, cheese, or other toppings.

Transfer pizza from peel to oven or slide parchment paper onto preheated pizza pan/stone and bake for 4 to 6 minutes each until browned on top and cheese has melted but not burned.

Enjoy!

NOTES

Weighing the flour is *highly* recommended. Using a cup to measure will typically yield inaccurate results, plus different flour brands have different weights If you want to use the dough the next day, knead a little more (slow speed for about 8 to 10 minutes) or if you have time to let the dough rest for 3 days, knead for 4 to 5 minutes, low speed or hand knead.