Making the Perfect Pizza at Home

By Vito’s Pizzaria in Wethersfield

Want restaurant quality pizza at home?

Here are some tips to help you make the perfect pizza.

The first thing you will want to do is set up your oven. For the best browning, put a rack in the lowest position with a pizza stone if you have one. Preheat the oven. You will want it as hot as it can get for a crisp crust.

The next thing to do is to thaw out your dough, since it is hard to roll dough that is too cold. Unwrap it and let it sit on the counter while you prep your toppings.

When you’re ready, start rolling the dough. Get the ball nice and flat by pressing with your knuckles from the center out, or by rolling with a pin from the center to the edges. Don’t forget to take your rings off before you start doing this!

Keep everything well-floured, and be sure to move the dough, not your hands or pin, to get it to an even thickness. If it springs back and refuses to flatten, let it rest for five minutes before touching it again.

When choosing the pan, use a round pizza pan or rimless baking sheet that fits family-size pies and conducts heat evenly.

To make sure things don’t stick, be generous with the cornmeal you spread on your sheet. This will keep the crust from clinging. Leave a half-inch border of dough around the edges so that the toppings don’t drip and burn in the oven.

After it cooks, all you have to do is slice it and eat it! A sharp pizza wheel will keep your toppings intact and cut your crust in a snap.

Enjoy!