The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

PR/Floyd pizza dough stretching problems

wvdthree's picture
wvdthree

PR/Floyd pizza dough stretching problems

Hi all,

        It's been a long time since I made pizza or visited the site but I have renewed interest. In 2008 I used Peter Reinhardt's pizza recipe which was also featured by Floyd in his Pizza Primer. I like a Neapolitan style pizza. As I recall the results in general were quite good but i had a really hard time stretching the dough.

 

     My notes don't indicate it but I believe that I made the dough and left it overnight in the frig. The next day when I took the dough out and let it come to room temp I had trouble stretching the dough. It simply was not supple/extensible (?) enough. Wether I tried using my hands or a rolling pin the dough would always shrink back up and would not get much larger/thinner. After a lot of work with the rolling pin I was able to get it to fit the back side  a half sheet pan. I had laid parchment and fine cornmeal down on the sheet pan. I then transferred the pizza onto a quarry tile surface I had made on one of the oven racks. 

 

     So,very simply, why was my dough not easily stretched/rolled out? Is it a matter of hydration, (wetter being maybe better?),dough temperature, amount of time rising at room temp or aging in the brig overnight? Any help will be greatly appreciated! My son bought me a pizza stone for Christmas so we will be using that as a baking surface. I'm also getting back into artisanal bread baking having had some pretty good results with advice from this site and Hamelmans "Rustic Bread? recipe.

 

     Thanks again and happy new year to all!!!

 

Best,

         Vance

 

HansB's picture
HansB

This site is great for bread. Go to pizzamaking.com for pizza.

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

 when my dough is too dry so try a bit more water in your recipe. 

albacore's picture
albacore

The dough needs to be relaxed to stretch properly. Ferment in bulk for 2 hours, then split and shape to 190-250g dough balls depending on size of pizza desired.

Store the balls for 4 hours or more then stretch to shape. A rolling pin should not be needed or used.

Hydration should match the flour; 62% for proper 00 or 66-70% for BF.

The tricky part is getting the gluten development right; if you overdo do it, then the dough will never stretch out. Underdo it and you will have poor crust development.

Lance

wvdthree's picture
wvdthree

Thanks so much Lance for the tips!

 

Vance

Nickisafoodie's picture
Nickisafoodie

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/recipes/pizza

two days in fridge vs one will develop more flavor.  the link above is on this site too.  leave dough out at least one hour before making, i.e. room temp vs cold.  heat stone at least 45 minutes.  Enjoy!!

wvdthree's picture
wvdthree

Thanks Nick.

 

Vance