starter pizza crust

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 8-24 hours (sourdough starter fermentation)
Baking Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 8-24 hours and 30-35 minutes
Servings: Makes pizza crusts

Ingredients:

• 1 cup active sourdough starter
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Cornmeal or semolina flour, for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Sourdough Starter:
   • Ensure your sourdough starter is active and has been recently fed.
2. Mix Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the active sourdough starter and lukewarm water. Stir until the starter is dissolved in the water.
   • Add the flour and salt to the bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead Dough:
   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
4. First Fermentation:
   • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and let it ferment at room temperature for 8-24 hours, or until it doubles in size.
5. Divide and Shape Dough:
   • After the first fermentation, punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions for two pizza crusts.
   • On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion of dough into a round ball. Let the dough balls rest for 15-30 minutes.
6. Preheat Oven:
   • About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible (usually around 475°F to 500°F or 245°C to 260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
7. Shape Pizza Crusts:
   • On a piece of parchment paper dusted with cornmeal or semolina flour (optional), gently stretch and shape each dough ball into a round pizza crust of your desired thickness. Leave a thicker edge for the crust.
8. Add Toppings:
   • Transfer the shaped pizza crusts (on parchment paper) to a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet.
   • Add your favorite pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings to the pizza crusts.
9. Bake Pizzas:
   • Carefully slide the pizzas (with parchment paper) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
   • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
10. Serve:
    • Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing.
    • Slice the pizzas and serve hot. Enjoy your homemade sourdough starter pizza crust with your favorite toppings!

Note: Adjust the fermentation time based on the activity of your sourdough starter and the ambient temperature in your kitchen. You can customize the toppings according to your preference.