Sourdough pizza

Prepare sourdough pizza at home

In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm water and active sourdough starter. Stir until the starter is fully dissolved. Add the flour to the bowl and mix well until a dough forms. Allow it to rest for 20 minutes, covered with a cloth, to autolyze.

After the autolyze, add the salt over the dough and knead it for about 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough back in the bowl and cover it with a cloth. Let it rest at room temperature for 2-3 hours, or until it doubles in size. You can also place it in the refrigerator overnight for a slower fermentation.

Preheat your oven to 250°C and place a baking stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
Once the dough has doubled in size, gently transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into desired portions for individual pizzas or keep it as a whole for a larger pizza. Shape each portion of dough into a round ball by folding the edges toward the center, creating surface tension.

Place the dough balls, seam-side up, in a proofing basket lined with a cloth. Cover them with the cloth and let them proof for about 1 hour, or until they rise. Carefully remove the proofed dough balls from the basket and transfer them onto a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch and shape them into pizza rounds.

Add your preferred toppings to the pizzas. Slide the pizzas onto the preheated baking stone or baking sheet and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Remove the pizzas from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Remember to experiment with different flours and toppings. Embrace the learning process and enjoy sharing your homemade pizzas with loved ones.