Pizza Dough Recipe : Cornmeal Pizza Crust

Cornmeal pizza crust is an example how pizza crust recipes have evolved and been adapted by other cuisines. The flavor is reminiscent of the cuisine of Mexico. The cornmeal pizza dough itself has a strong flavor and needs a strong complimentary flavor as a topping. Refried beans and crisp pieces of bacon make an excellent accompaniment when the pizza is cooked. However the best pizza crust for a cornmeal pizza is rolled thin as the cornmeal has a different consistency to wheat flour.

Below is a conventional cornmeal pizza crust and the second recipe is for a cornmeal pizza crust using a bread machine. Like any other recipe for pizza dough the cornmeal pizza crust is traditionally made on a marble slab in the kitchen, as the slab allows you to combine the ingredients and knead them on the same kitchen surface.


Ingredients

* 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal or polenta
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup water
* 2 tablespoons olive oilt




Step by Step Procedure

1. Place the polenta, flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt onto your work surface. You could also combine the ingredients in a food processor or a bowl.
2. Make a well in the center and add the water and olive oil.
3. Combine and knead for about 8 minutes until the dough is elastic and shiny.
4. Move on to our Mexican Pizza Recipes and follow the topping and baking directions for the individual recipe of your choice.


Cornmeal Pizza Crust Recipe (Bread Machine)

Ingredients:

* 1 cup warm water
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
* 1 cup cornmeal + 1 tablespoon cornmeal
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Method:

1. Measure carefully, placing all ingredients except 1 tablespoon cornmeal in bread machine pan.
2. Program basic dough cycle setting and press start.
3. Remove the dough from the bread machine pan and let rest 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Pat and gently stretch the dough into a fourteen inch circle.
5. Spray a 14-inch pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon cornmeal.
6. Press the dough into the pizza pan
7. Move on to our Mexican Pizza Recipes and follow the topping and baking directions for the individual recipe of your choice.