Nancy Silverton’s Pizza dough

201406-r-nancy-silvertons-tomato-oregano-pizza

DOUGH
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 packed teaspoon active dry yeast
3 3/4 cups bread flour
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt

TOMATO SAUCE
One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnishing
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
Sea salt and dried or fresh oregano, for garnishing

  • MAKE THE DOUGH In a medium bowl, crumble 1/2 teaspoon of the yeast into 1/2 cup of lukewarm water. Let stand until the yeast dissolves, 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of the bread flour until incorporated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until the sponge is bubbly and thickened, 12 to 18 hours.
  • Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the sponge with 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons of lukewarm water. With the mixer at low speed, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of yeast and 3 1/4 cups of bread flour and mix until combined, scraping down the side of the bowl, 2 minutes. Add the salt and mix at medium speed until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, 7 minutes. Scrape the dough onto a floured surface and knead into a ball; transfer to the prepared bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until the dough has doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface. Fold the top and bottom of the dough toward the center, then fold in the right and left sides; flip the dough over and return it to the bowl, folded side down. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled in bulk, 1 hour.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into two pieces. Shape each one into a ball and transfer to the baking sheet; brush the tops with oil. Loosely cover with a kitchen towel and let stand for 1 hour.
  • MEANWHILE, MAKE THE TOMATO SAUCE In a food processor, puree the tomatoes until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients except the garnishes.
  • Preheat the oven to 500°. Roll or press out dough.  Put on parchment paper spread with corn meal. Spread 3 tablespoons of the sauce all over the dough.  Bake the pizzas for about 15 minutes, until the bottoms are crisp and golden. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sea salt and oregano; serve hot. Repeat with the remaining dough and sauce.