Process Analysis Paper Assignment

Pizza is among the most common food commodities that people order for it to be delivered in their homes. Possibly, most people perceive the process of making it as complex. However, with what I have observed and attempted, it is an easy meal to make at home. Also, one can make pizza which is similar to the pizza made in the best pizza places. It is important to note that the process requires practice and planning for one to be good at making it regardless of being skilled in cooking. Also, making it at home is a bit cheaper and hence knowing how to make is beneficial both in terms of cost and the ability to prepare it. The process of making pizza is important since it is a common meal and it adds interest in knowing the type of ingredients that most pizza places use when preparing it. Also, learning how to prepare it at home is hygienic, and one gets to ingest a fresh product, and hence the reader should care about or rather show interest in the process involved in making it. The analysis puts into view the process associated with making pizza; from making the dough until it served on the table.

Before beginning the process, there is the need for prior planning. Planning ahead involves making the dough a day earlier before the set date for making pizza for the purpose of providing it with ample time to enlarge or rather rise. It is also important to purchase a food scale if one does not have to measure the weights of the ingredients to be used in making the toppings and the dough. The significance of weighing is that it ensures that the volume of the pizza is appropriate in terms of the balance of ingredients. Another significant consideration is having a cooking surface. The surface, depending on ones preference may be either a pizza steel or a pizza stone or about six quarry tiles which are unglazed and measure approximately six by 6 inches. The surfaces may be purchased from a building supply shop. Regardless of ones preference, there is the need for heating the cooking surface in an oven which is extremely hot for about an hour before beginning the cooking process.

The first step is to ensure that one has all the ingredients necessary for making the dough and the toppings. The ingredients used in making pizza include;

153 g of 00 flour or a single cup and one tablespoon

153 g of all-purpose flour or a single cup, one tablespoon and two teaspoons

8 g of fine sea salt or one teaspoon

2 g of active dry yeast or three-quarter teaspoon

4 g of extra-virgin olive oil or one teaspoon

The next step is preparation that involves two important steps. Step one, in a huge mixing bowl, mix the salt and flours. Step two, in a second mixing bowl, mix 200g of tap water which is lukewarm, olive oil and yeast and then pour the mixture into the first flour mixture. Gently knead the mixtures with hands until there is a uniform combination for about three minutes. Next, allow the mixture to rest for about fifteen minutes.

The third step involves storing the dough. After the fifteen minutes, gently knead the dough again for about three minutes and then divide it into two equivalent pieces before shaping them into two balls. Next, place each bowl on a surface which is heavily-floured and then covers them with a damp cloth. Allow the dough to rest and enlarge for about four hours at room temperature or about 24 hours in the fridge. It is important to note that if one opts to use the fridge, there is the need for removing the dough about forty-five minutes before beginning the cooking. To obtain a quick rise, place the dough on a countertop while covered for it to be ready in about three or four hours.

The next step involves shaping the pizza. Shaping requires plenty of practice to ensure balance and conformity before the toppings are placed. The goal of shaping the pizza is to obtain a thin circle of the dough that includes an elevated edge going around the pie. It does not always acquire the intended shape during the first practice and hence no need for ending the process. Pizzas which are unsymmetrical are also sweet. Shaping includes five basic steps. The first step involves having a floured surface to work on while using floured hands. With the floured hands, gently press down one enlarged dough such that a circle is made while rotating it. The second step involves using the fingertips to gently press the perimeter of the circular dough while rotating in order to form the edge of the dough. Next, pick the dough and gently pass it from one palm to the other several times while rotating it every time a pass is made and utilizing gravity to enable the dough to stretch. When the doughs diameter is about 12 inches, then it is ready to be used. Next, place the dough back on the floured surface while ensuring that the pressed side faces upward and then softly slide the dough back and forth for some time to prevent it from sticking. However, if it sticks, add some flour to prevent the sticking. Lastly, carefully slide the pizza peel which is lightly floured under the dough or carefully put it on a cutting board which is floured or at the back side of a pan. There is the need to ensure that the dough is able to move back and forth before certifying it for any toppings.

The next step involves topping the pizza. It entails employing a light touch when adding the topping. It is crucial to prevent overloading the pizza, especially on the center to prevent obtaining an undercooked crust. It is advised to use about three tablespoons of the pizza sauce, a few drops of olive oil in addition to several toppings; depending on the taste that one desires to obtain once the pizza is ready to be served. Common pizza toppings include cheese, pieces of seafood, eggs, and meat and pieces of herbs, vegetables, and fruit. A tip on using pizza sauce is that it is not necessary to cook it before time. Also, when topping it with the dough, it is important to spread it using the back side of a spoon while keeping away from edges of the dough at approximately a half an inch. It is important to stick to three tablespoons of the sauce and store the remainder under refrigeration.

After adding the toppings, the final step involves cooking the pizza. The most common method used for cooking pizza is using the oven. In the absence of an oven, one may bake it using a sheet pan or employ outdoor grilling. Assuming that one is using an oven, the first step involves setting the oven at a high temperature for it to heat for about an hour before the cooking begins. If one is using either the tiles, steel or the pizza stone, the equipment is put on the ovens middle rack before turning it on and then allowed to preheat for another hour. When the topped pizza is ready to be cooked, it is gently picked and then slid on the tiles, or stones or steel, depending on what one is using; beginning at the back and then working gently towards the front. The pizza is then baked for about eight minutes in which the edges exhibit a golden brown color as the cheese and sauce bubble gently. Next, remove the pan which is on the pizza and then carefully shift the pizza onto the board for it to be divided into slices. The pizza is then served on plates and ready for consumption. It is advised to accompany it with a cold and fresh fruit drink.

In synopsis, making pizza involves a simple process and ingredients which can be easily accessed. It is important to follow the steps mentioned above and ensure practice to obtain a pizza that is served by the best pizza places. From an individual perspective, homemade pizza is the best option when it comes to quality pizza and hence the need for learning the process.