Nailed It…Kind Of. Outdoor Pizza Making On The Agave Farm

Homemade Pizza Perfection on the Agave Farm

Welcome to our Agave Farm in the Hollywood Hills, where we’re taking pizza making to new heights – literally! Join us as we embark on a delicious adventure, crafting homemade pizzas in our wood-fired outdoor pizza oven. From mastering the art of dough stretching to perfecting our toppings, this is a pizza party you won’t want to miss. But yes, clearly some of us have never made a pizza before.

We’ve all seen those dreamy Instagram posts of perfectly cooked pizzas emerging from rustic wood-fired ovens, set against picturesque backdrops. Our adventure? A bit more… let’s say, real. Imagine a group of self-proclaimed pizza connoisseurs armed with an OONI Outdoor Pizza Oven and a determination as firm as our un-stretched dough. We were ready to take on the challenge—after all, how hard could it be?

The OONI Oven: A Hot Little Number

If there was one part of the day that didn’t disappoint, it was the OONI Outdoor Pizza Oven. This little marvel heated up faster than our tempers, reaching a blistering 932°F. The pizzas cooked in a flash, leaving us just enough time to panic about whether we’d over-charred the crust. Spoiler: Some did, but that’s what a leaf blower is for—right, Jules?

Making Pizza Together

One of the best parts of using an outdoor pizza oven is the group effort! Everyone can get involved in making their own pizza, which adds to the fun.

Keep an eye on your friends; they might forget key ingredients! For instance, one of us got so excited about his dough that he forgot to add any toppings at all! (cough…again, Jules.)

Ingredients for Perfect Pizza

The right ingredients can make or break your pizza experience. Here’s what you need for a delicious homemade pizza.

The Ultimate Pizza Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F or 45°C)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or one packet)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin for best flavor)

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast:
   • In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy. If the yeast doesn’t froth, it’s time to grab a new packet.
2. Mix the Ingredients:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center, then pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough:
   • Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
4. Let It Rise:
   • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size. This is where the magic happens—don’t rush it!
5. Punch and Divide:
   • Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air. Divide it into 6 equal portions, depending on the size of the pizzas you want. Let them rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten.
6. Shape the Dough:
   • On a floured surface, press each dough ball into a flat disc. Use your hands to stretch the dough, working from the center outwards, until you have a thin, even circle. If the dough resists, let it rest for a few minutes before continuing.

Tips for Perfect Dough

Temperature Matters: Keep your dough at room temperature before stretching. Cold dough is like a grumpy cat – it won’t cooperate.

Avoid Overworking: Overworking the dough can make it tough. Aim for a balance between stretching and letting the dough rest.

Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Don’t be discouraged by a few misshapen pizzas – they still taste great.

With these steps and tips, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of pizza dough. Happy dough making! 🍕

Classic Homemade Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 can (28 ounces) San Marzano tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Garlic:
   • In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to let it brown—it can turn bitter quickly.
2. Add the Tomatoes:
   • Pour the canned tomatoes into the pan, crushing them with your hands as you add them. You can also use a potato masher if you prefer a smoother sauce.
3. Season and Simmer:
   • Add the sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
4. Optional: Blend for Smoothness
   • If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree it to your desired consistency.
5. Add Fresh Basil:
   • Just before serving, stir in a handful of fresh basil leaves if desired. This will give the sauce a fresh, aromatic flavor.
6. Cool and Use:
   • Let the sauce cool slightly before spreading it on your pizza dough. This sauce is also perfect for pasta or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.

Spread it over your stretched dough. Just remember, mixing fresh mozzarella and toppings into your sauce might lead to a soggy pizza! Oh, Julian. #Parentfail

Getting Started with Your Outdoor Pizza Oven

Follow these steps to get your oven ready for a delicious pizza night.

Setting Up Your Oven

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies: First, you’ll need a few essential items. Make sure you have Oak or hickory wood chunks and a reliable heat gun infrared thermometer. This Ooni Bundle makes it easy.

Step 2: Preparing the Oven. Before you can cook the perfect pizza, you need to prep your wood-fired oven.

Clean the Oven: Ensure that your oven is clean from any previous cooking sessions. Leftover ash and debris can affect the heat and flavor of your pizza.

Arrange the Wood: Place your oak wood chunks in the center of the oven. Oak is ideal because it burns hot and long, ensuring your oven reaches the optimal temperature.

Ignite the Wood: Aim the lighter at the base of the woodpile and hold it there until the wood catches fire.

Achieving the Perfect Temperature

Now that your wood is burning, it’s time to focus on the temperature. The magic number here is 752 degrees Fahrenheit (or 400 degrees Celsius). Here’s how to get there.

Monitor the Temperature: Use your infrared thermometer gun to keep an eye on the oven’s internal temperature.

Adjust the Wood: If the temperature is too low, add more oak wood chunks. If it’s too high, spread the wood out or remove a chunk or two.

Maintain the Heat: Once you’ve reached 752 degrees, maintain the temperature by adding small amounts of wood as needed. Consistency is key; you don’t want the temperature to fluctuate too much.

Ready to Cook

With your oven prepped and at the perfect temperature, you’re ready to start cooking your pizzas. Remember, a well-maintained oven is the secret to a perfectly cooked pizza.

Cooking the Pizzas

Cooking pizzas in a wood-fired oven is both an art and a science. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve pizza perfection.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven: Ensure your wood-fired oven is preheated to the optimal temperature.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Peel: Before you even think about placing your pizza in the oven, make sure your pizza peel is well-floured with flour or semolina. This will prevent the dough from sticking and ensure a smooth transition from peel to oven. A stuck pizza is a sad pizza.

Step 3: Slide the Pizza into the Oven With a swift and confident motion, slide the pizza off the peel and onto the oven floor. The key here is confidence; hesitation can lead to disaster. If you need a mantra, try “I am one with the pizza”—it can’t hurt.

Step 4: Monitor the Cooking Pizzas in a wood-fired oven cook incredibly fast—usually in about one minute. Keep a close eye on your pizza, rotating it occasionally to ensure even cooking. The crust should be blistered and slightly charred, while the cheese should be bubbly and golden. Remember, a watched pizza never burns.

Step 5: Remove the Pizza: Once your pizza has reached the desired level of doneness, use your pizza peel to carefully remove it from the oven. Place it on a cutting board or serving tray, and let it cool for a minute or two. This brief cooling period allows the cheese to set slightly, making for easier slicing and a more enjoyable eating experience.

The Importance of Temperature

Temperature plays a crucial role in pizza making, especially when using an outdoor pizza oven. Achieving the right heat can transform your pizza from mediocre to mouthwatering.

Why Temperature Matters

Your outdoor pizza oven should ideally reach around 752°F. At this temperature, pizzas cook in just about a minute, ensuring a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese!

• Too low a temperature can lead to soggy dough.
• High heat helps achieve that charred, smoky flavor.
• Monitor the temperature closely for consistent results.

The Dough Dilemma: Common Mistakes

Making pizza dough can be tricky, especially for beginners. Here are some common mistakes that can lead to dough disasters during your outdoor pizza party.

Over-Kneading the Dough

One of the biggest mistakes is over-kneading your dough. While it’s important to develop gluten, too much kneading can result in a tough crust.

• Only knead for about 5-10 minutes.
• Watch out for dough that doesn’t spring back when poked.

Underestimating Rising Time

Another common error is not allowing enough rising time for the dough. It needs time to develop flavor and texture.

• Let your dough rise for at least 30 minutes.
• Check that it doubles in size for best results.

Ignoring Temperature

Temperature can make or break your dough. If your water is too hot, it can kill the yeast, while cold water will slow down the rising process.

• Use warm water (about 110°F) to activate the yeast.
• Keep your dough in a warm, draft-free area for rising.

Topping Choices: What Works Best?

The toppings you choose can elevate your pizza from average to extraordinary. Here’s how to pick the best options for your outdoor pizza oven.

Fresh Ingredients Matter

Using fresh ingredients is key to a flavorful pizza. Look for seasonal vegetables and high-quality cheeses.

• Fresh mozzarella melts beautifully.
• Seasonal veggies add color and nutrition.
• Jalapeños of coarse!

Mix and Match

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different topping combinations. Here are some popular pairings:

• Classic Margherita: tomatoes, mozzarella, basil.
• BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, red onions.
• Veggie Delight: bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach.

As we carefully slid our pizzas into the blazing-hot oven, we couldn’t help but marvel at the speed and efficiency of this incredible appliance. “Wait, it only takes a minute to cook each pizza?” one of us asked in disbelief. “That’s insane!” Indeed, the OONI oven’s ability to reach temperatures of up to 932°F (500°C) meant that our pizzas were ready to serve in the blink of an eye.

But the real magic happened when we pulled those piping-hot pies out of the oven. The aroma of freshly-baked dough, melted cheese, and sizzling toppings wafted through the air, making our mouths water in anticipation. And the results? Absolutely mouthwatering. The thin, crispy crust, the gooey cheese, and the perfectly-cooked toppings – it was a pizza lover’s dream come true.

Hilarious Pizza Fails: Learning from Mistakes

Making pizza can be a fun adventure, but it doesn’t always go as planned. Here are some funny moments and lessons learned from our pizza-making experience.

Dough Disasters

One of the most memorable mishaps was when Jules got too excited about his dough. He pressed it out perfectly but forgot to add any toppings! His pizza ended up looking like a sad, naked crust.

Over-Kneading Woes

Andrea faced her own challenge when she kneaded her dough for too long. After 20 minutes, it was still the same small size! Remember, kneading should only take about 5-10 minutes for the best results.

Exploding Pizza Containers

As we prepared our pizzas, the individual containers kept popping like fireworks! It was a reminder that not everything goes smoothly in the kitchen, but these unexpected moments bring funny memories.

Conclusion

As the sun sets and the last of the wood-fired pizzas are devoured, it’s clear that this outdoor pizza-making adventure has been a resounding success. From setting up the wood-fired oven to savoring the final slice, every step was filled with laughter, creativity, and the delicious aroma of freshly baked pizza. The key takeaway? Making pizza in a wood-fired oven isn’t just about the food—it’s about the experience. The joy of kneading dough, the excitement of choosing toppings, and the communal spirit of cooking together all contribute to a truly memorable day.

And let’s not forget the unique, smoky flavor that only a wood-fired oven can impart. In the end, whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, the process of making pizza in a wood-fired oven is a delightful culinary journey. So gather your friends, fire up that oven, and get ready to create some unforgettable pizza magic. Just remember: the best pizza is the one shared with good company and a hearty dose of laughter.

Bon Appetit!

Priti

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