| How to Clean a Keurig Posted: 09 Feb 2020 04:00 PM PST Keurigs are great for making single cups of coffee, but over time, they can get dirty and buildup can form inside the machine. Every now and then, you need to clean your Keurig so it keeps making full cups of flavorful coffee. Every week you should clean the removable parts, and you should change the filter and descale the machine every few months. When your Keurig is clogged, you can manually clean out the pod holder and needle. Once the machine is clean, your coffee will taste fresh with each brew! [Edit]Performing Weekly Maintenance - Wipe the entire machine with soapy water. Mix liquid dish soap in a sink full of warm water. Wet a cleaning cloth in the soapy water and wring it out so it's not dripping. Wipe all of the exterior surfaces on your Keurig to clean off any dust or dried-on coffee. Focus on areas like the mug tray and pod holder since they get the dirtiest.[1]
- Make sure there isn't a K-cup or coffee pod in the holder when you start cleaning.
- If your Keurig has a touchscreen display, wipe it dry with a paper towel when you're finished cleaning it so it doesn't get damaged.
- Remove and wash the bottom reservoir. The bottom reservoir is underneath the mug tray and is used to catch any accidental spills. Pull out the bottom reservoir and soak it in your sink filled with soapy water. Scrub any stuck-on residue with your cleaning cloth before rinsing it off.[2]
- The mug tray usually rests on top of the bottom reservoir. You can either wipe the mug tray with a cloth or soak it in your sink.
- Soak the water tank in soapy water. Pull the tank off of the Keurig and empty the water into your sink. Rinse out the tank with warm water before soaking it. Scrub the inside of the tank with your cleaning cloth before rinsing it clean again.[3]
- If you have a Keurig filter in the water tank, pull it out before washing out the tank.
- Let the bottom reservoir and tank air dry. Put the tank and reservoir upside down on a drying rack so they can air dry. Leave them to dry completely before putting them back on your Keurig. Don't use a towel to dry them since it could leave lint inside the tank.[4]
[Edit]Unclogging the Needle and Pod Holder - Pull out the pod holder from the top. Lift the handle on top of your Keurig to access the pod holder. Grab the edges of the pod holder and pull up carefully to remove it from the machine. The pod holder cartridge will easily come out so you can clean it.[5]
- Be careful of the needle above the pod holder since it's sharp.
- Separate the funnel from the pod holder. The pod holder is made with 2 pieces that are held together in the middle. Gently pull the pod holder apart to remove the bottom funnel from the pod compartment. You may need to twist the funnel to help loosen it.[6]
- Take apart the pod holder over your sink or a paper towel in case leftover coffee grounds fall out
- Poke a paper clip through the tube on the pod holder. Unbend a paper by hand until it's straight. Stick the end of the unbent paper clip into the small tube at the bottom the Keurig's pod holder to break apart any clogs. Take the paper clip out of the pod holder so any residue you broke apart can fall out through the hole. Keep poking into the pod holder until you don't see anymore residue.[7]
- You can also use a toothpick if you don't have a paper clip.
- Rinse the pod holder and funnel under warm water. Turn on your sink so it's running warm water. Hold the pod holder and funnel upside down underneath the water to rinse any residue out. Rotate the pod holder and funnel under the water until it's completely rinsed.[8]
- Avoid using any soap while cleaning out your pod holder since it could affect the flavor of your coffee if it's not completely rinsed out.
- Clean the inside of the needle with your paper clip. The needle is located inside your Keurig above the pod holder. Use the same paper clip you used to clean the tube on the pod holder and poke it inside the hole in the center of the needle. Work the paper clip back and forth to loosen any coffee grounds or scale that may have gotten stuck inside.[9]
- Be careful while cleaning the needle since it is sharp and could hurt you.
- Put the pod holder back in your machine. Reattach the funnel and the pod compartment by pressing them together. Set the entire pod holder into the space where you pulled it out and gently push it back into place. The pod holder will click once it's secured again.[10]
- There is usually an arrow on the pod holder and the Keurig to show which way to insert it. Make sure the pod holder is lined up correctly.
- Run 2 water-only cycles through your machine. Place an empty mug on the mug tray underneath the dispenser. Fill the water tank up to the max fill line and start a water-only cycle on your machine. Let the water fill the mug until the first cycle is finished. Empty the mug and run the machine one more time without a K-cup so it can clean out any residue.[11]
- Some Keurig machines will make you press a button on a touchscreen to confirm that you want to run the cycle without a K-cup. Other machines may make you lift the handle and close it again before starting another cycle.
[Edit]Descaling the Tank - Empty the water tank and remove the filter. Take the reservoir off of your Keurig machine and dump out any water that's inside it. If your Keurig has a water filter, pull it out of the tank and set it aside while you descale the machine. Put the water tank back onto your Keurig once it's empty.[12]
- Mix equal parts descaling solution and water in the tank. Pour a full bottle of Keurig descaling solution into the water tank, which is usually around . Fill the bottle again with water from your sink and add it to your tank to dilute the solution.[13]
- You can buy Keurig descaling solution online or in the kitchen section of big box stores.
- Run the Keurig until the "Add Water" light blinks. Place a mug underneath the dispenser so the solution doesn't spill when you run it. Make sure there isn't a K-cup inside the machine before you start running a regular brew cycle. Start the machine and let the first cycle fill the mug. Once the first cycle is over, empty the mug and start another cycle immediately. Keep running cycles until the tank is empty and the "Add Water" light starts blinking.[14]
- If your Keurig has a touchscreen, the screen will display when it needs more water in order to run.
- Let your Keurig sit for at least 30 minutes. Your Keurig stores some of the solution inside an internal reservoir after you run the cycles. Leave your Keurig alone for at least 30 minutes so the descaler can break apart any residue or buildup inside the reservoir.[15]
- If you're using vinegar to descale your Keurig, leave it alone for about 4 hours so it has time to break down the buildup inside.
- Fill the tank with clean water. Pour out any leftover solution or liquid into your sink and rinse it underneath warm water. Make sure you rinse the tank thoroughly so there's no solution left inside. Fill the tank to the max fill line with clean water and put it back on your machine.[16]
- Run through water-only cycles on your Keurig at least 12 times. Set a mug on the mug tray and run a hot water-only cycle through your machine. Once the first cycle is complete, empty the mug and run another cycle immediately after. Keep running cycles until you've done it 12 times to clean out all of the descaler solution.[17]
- You may have to fill the water tank at least once to run all of the cycles.
- Descale your Keurig every 6 months.
[Edit]Replacing the Water Filter - Soak a new filter in water for 5 minutes. Keurig filters should be replaced every 3 months or every 60 times you fill the tank. Take the replacement filter and put it in a bowl of cold water. Let the filter soak for at least 5 minutes before putting it in your Keurig. This helps the filter work better once it's inside your tank.[18]
- You can buy new Keurig filters online or in the kitchen section of big box stores.
- Pull out the filter tube from your water tank. The filter tube is usually found in the middle or near the back of your Keurig's water tank. Simply pull the tube out from the Keurig and set it on a piece of paper towel so it doesn't get your counter wet.[19]
- Not every Keurig will have a filter.
- Take apart the bottom of the tube to remove the old filter. Keurig filters consist of a long tube and a mesh piece on the bottom to hold the filter in place. Grab the mesh piece on the bottom and pull it loose to take out the filter. Once you remove the old filter, throw it away.[20]
- Take out the old filter while the new one is soaking. That way, once the new filter is done soaking, you can immediately put it in.
- Rinse the new filter in water for 1 minute. Take the new filter out from the bowl of water and rinse it underneath cool water. Rotate the filter in your hands to rinse it completely. Keep the filter underneath the stream of water for at least 1 minute before you put it in the tube.[21]
- Place the new filter in the tube and put it back in the tank. Hold the filter tube upside down and set your filter inside of it. Replace the mesh bottom to secure the filter in place before putting the filter back into your Keurig. Once the filter is replaced, you can immediately use the Keurig again.[22]
- Wipe your Keurig off every time you use it to keep it clean and prevent any residue from forming.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful while unclogging the needle since it's sharp.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Performing Weekly Maintenance [Edit]Unclogging the Needle and Pod Holder [Edit]Descaling the Tank - Descaling solution or white vinegar
- Mug
[Edit]Replacing the Water Filter [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Throw an Oscars Party Posted: 09 Feb 2020 08:00 AM PST You don't have to be on the red carpet in Los Angeles to enjoy the Oscars like a star! Whether you're looking to host a relaxed watch party or a glamorous black-tie event, planning decorations, dishes, and a few games can make your party one for the ages. [Edit]Choosing a Theme and Guest List - Invite 5-7 people for a more relaxed party. A smaller Oscars party, with just your close friends and family, can be just as much fun as a big bash—sometimes even better! Keep the guest list to 5-7 people, or even fewer, for a smaller affair.[1]
- Don't worry—just because you have a smaller party, doesn't mean you have to ditch the fancy decorations and dress code, if you want them.
- A smaller party lets you save money on food, and you won't have to worry about entertaining lots of people.
- Throw a large party by inviting 7-15 guests, or more. If you want to go all out, opt for a grander party with a big guest list, anywhere from 7-15 people. Invite people from different friend groups to encourage interesting conversations and connections.[2]
- A big, diverse group can make for a more lavish-feeling party, which goes perfectly with the Oscars theme.
- Depending on how large your house or venue is, you can go even larger than 15 people. More guests will mean more work and expenses for you, but a fabulous party might be worth it!
- Choose a location based on the size and feel of your party. Your house is the perfect location for both a large and fancy party or something smaller and more relaxed. If you want an even fancier feel, you could choose to rent out a room.
- You might rent a space, like a ballroom or large meeting room, at a hotel or community center.
- Using an outside venue will give the party a more formal and less personal feeling, but is great if you're looking to invite a big crowd of 50 or more guests.
- Make sure to book your venue at least a few months ahead of time.
- Go with an elegant, classy theme for a fun and fancy party. The Oscars serve as their own party theme, but you can play off of them to create your own unique vibe. You can go for an old Hollywood feel, modern black tie, or relaxed and casual.[3]
- For a glam, red carpet affair, you can dress up your whole house and ask guests to come in elegant dresses and suits.
- A more laid-back party can be just as fun. Invite your guests over in their pajamas and relax on the couch with champagne and popcorn.
- Design simple, elegant invitations to go with the Oscars theme. You can make invitations by hand with construction paper and colored pens, or design them online and send them as emails. Keep your invitations clear and simple. Specify the time, date, and location of the party and ask them to RSVP.[4]
- Show your theme through your invitations. If your party will be fancy, step it up with glitter and ribbons; if you're going for a more laid-back feel, stick to simple colors and fonts.
- If you're short on time, you can just send out quick text message invites. To add a bit of class, whip up just one pretty invitation, take a picture of it, and send it out to your guests.
- You can also use an e-vite website to easily design and send invitations virtually.
- Ask guests to arrive early if they want to watch the red carpet. It's up to you whether to invite guests to watch the Oscars pre-show or not—you might need the extra time to finish setting up the party! If you love seeing the glamorous suits and dresses, though, specify that guests can arrive early to join you.
- Look up the start time of the red carpet beforehand to make sure you specify the right time.
- Specify the dress code in your invites. Based on your theme, make sure to tell guests what they should wear. Put this important detail somewhere your guests will see, like in a colored box at the bottom of the invite.
- For a fancier party, you could ask guests to come in formal dresses and suits or flapper-style old Hollywood fashion.
- For a fun, relaxed party, tell guests to wear their comfiest pajamas and sweatpants.
- Look online for a few pictures of your desired style and include them in the invitation. This will give your guests an idea of exactly what you're looking for and how they can make it their own.
- Ask guests to bring a small dish if you want to throw a potluck. Think ahead and decide whether you want to make the party food yourself or enlist the help of your guests. It's totally appropriate to make your party a potluck—just tell your guests on the invitation, and specify what kinds of dishes they should bring.
- You might ask them to come with appetizers, desserts, or side dishes, and make any main dishes yourself. Good sides could include salads, potatoes, or light pasta dishes.
- To make it easier on your guests, you can also compromise and ask them to bring their own drinks instead of food. Just add a simple BYOB note to your invitation.
[Edit]Decorating to Your Theme - Decide on a simple color scheme with black, gold, and/or red. For a classic Oscars look, make black and gold the main colors of your party. If you want a pop of color, add another striking color, like red, and try to add in sparkles and glitter anywhere you can.
- Red and gold floral patterns can also make great accents at an Oscars party. You can use them for napkins or ribbons to pull together your table settings.
- Lay a long red tablecloth on the floor for a "red carpet." No Oscars party is complete without a red carpet! Make your own budget version by buying a long red tablecloth or table runner. Lay it out in your entryway, hallway, or even on the steps coming into your house to give guests a glamorous entrance.[5]
- Sprinkle gold sparkles over the "red carpet" to give it some extra shimmer.
- If you're putting the red carpet outside, make sure to hold it down with tape or rocks to keep it in place.
- Decorate tables with tablecloths, candles, and flowers. Set up your food and drink tables along the perimeter of your room. Throw a red or black tablecloth over the tables and scatter small votive candles around. A small vase of red roses, real or fake, can make a beautiful finishing touch.[6]
- Sprinkle some more gold glitter or sparkles over the tables before you cover them with plates or food.
- Hang sparkling streamers and balloons on the walls. Head to the party store and buy glittery gold streamers, long metallic foil fringes, and sparkly wall hangings to string around the room. You can also get black, gold, and red balloons to blow up and float around the room for a classic party feel.[7]
- If you have time to plan, you can also buy a few movie posters—from old, classic films as well as this year's nominees—to hang on your walls. Order them online and preview them before you buy to make sure they'll look good with your color scheme.
- Less is often more when it comes to wall decorations. Stick to 1 or 2 areas of bright decorations, rather than covering the whole room, which can be overwhelming.
- Line up plastic statuettes along tables and mantles. Nothing sets off an Oscar party like a few fake Oscars! You can order cheap plastic statuettes online, buy them at a party store, or use old sports trophies as stand-ins. Line them up on a table for an official awards look, or scatter them around the room.[8]
- You can also use old dolls or actions figures to make your own Academy Awards. Remove the arms from a doll and glue it onto an old vase or block. Spray paint it gold for a DIY Oscars lookalike.
- Get plates and silverware to match your color scheme. Stock up on black, gold, and red paper plates, cups, and silverware at a party store. Mix and match the colors of your tablecloths and plates so that you don't have too much of just one color.
- For example, if your tablecloths are gold, go with black or red plates and silverware.
- For a fancier look, use red and gold holiday china plates and silverware. Their colors will fit in perfectly, but make sure your guests don't drop any!
- Glam up clear cups with gold tape. Buy glittery gold Scotch or Washi tape at a party or general store. Wrap a piece around the rim of each cup to add a simple stripe of gold to quickly add an upscale flare.[9]
- Glittery tape edges look particularly great on clear plastic champagne glasses, but you can try it on any disposable cups or even plates that you want to use.
- You can use this technique on glass flutes and plates as well. Remember to peel off the tape before you wash the dish.
[Edit]Choosing Food and Drinks - Provide lots of snacks to last the whole ceremony. The Academy Awards ceremony can last for over 3 hours, so it's a good idea to set out lots of appetizers for your guests to snack on throughout the show. Some Oscar-worthy snacks you can consider include:[10]
- Tortilla chips and fresh guacamole.
- Classic deviled eggs.
- Fruit or veggie salad.
- A classier version of nachos. Make them by sauteeing chopped mushrooms with shallots and truffle oil. Spoon your mixture onto chips with some taleggio cheese and ricotta and bake at for about 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.[11]
- Set out plenty of popcorn. No matter what other foods you're serving, popcorn is a must at an Oscars party. You can go with easy microwave popcorn, or try fresh stove-popped popcorn. Mix in some salt and butter, or go for a sweeter variety, like kettle corn.
- Besides fitting in with your Oscars theme, popcorn is also an easy, popular side dish that your guests can snack on throughout the show.
- Make or order an easy entree ahead of time to fill everyone up early. Serving a more filling main dish will ensure that your guests don't get hungry later on. Prepare the dish beforehand and heat it up when all your guests have arrived. For less work, you could order food from a restaurant.[12]
- You could make a big Cobb salad, or whip up some pasta or lasagna.
- If you're ordering food from a restaurant, pizza is always a good bet. If Ellen DeGeneres could do it while hosting the 2014 Oscars, then it'll be good enough for your guests![13]
- For a fancier party, you can have a local restaurant cater. Remember to call in your order a few days beforehand.
- Have simple chocolate-covered fruit and sweets for dessert. Melt some chocolate before the party and dip fruits and other small sweets in it. Let the treats dry on a tray covered in wax paper, then serve them sometime around the middle of the party, after your guests have eaten the main dish or most of the appetizers.
- You could dip strawberries, chopped bananas, marshmallows, and pretzels.
- You could also rent a chocolate fountain and have guests do the dipping themselves! Look up rental places online and set it up on a separate table for guests to indulge themselves.
- Make Oscars cookies a few days beforehand, if you have time. Whip up a batch of sugar cookies a day before the party. Use an Oscar trophy-shaped cookie cutter to cut them into little statuettes, then frost them with yellow frosting and gold sprinkles. Your guests will love these festive treats![14]
- You can buy Oscars cookie cutters online.
- Pour out plenty of drinks, like champagne and sparkling cider. An Oscars party calls for lots of celebration, which means that champagne and sparkling apple cider are a must. Cover a counter or even a dresser with a tablecloth to make a "bar," and set out bottles of champagne in a small bucket of ice.
- Offer beer and wine as well, and non-alcoholic drinks like juice, soda, and bottled water.
- Try serving a classy cocktail too, like a gin and tonic, or a martini.[15]
[Edit]Setting up Games and Entertainment - Play or stream the Oscars live. Look up the station the Oscars will be shown on ahead of time, and have it turned on while guests are arriving. If you'll be streaming the Oscars online, make sure to test the stream ahead of time to make sure it works.
- ABC is the current provider of the Oscars, so you can stream the show on abc.go.com or on the ABC app if you sign in with a TV provider.
- You can also watch on a subscription-based provider, like Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Hulu Live.[16]
- Keep control of the remote so you can turn the volume up or down as needed. You may want to turn it up during major awards, or lower the volume during commercial breaks so your guests can chat.
- Challenge guests to predict what movie will win each category. Print out "ballots" that list all the nominees for each category and give one to each guest. Have them choose who they think will win in each category and mark each correct prediction as the ceremony goes on. Whoever guessed the most right is the winner![17]
- You can find ballots online by searching for "Oscars ballots 2018," or whatever year you're printing them for.
- Play Oscars bingo during the show. Fill in bingo boards with things you might see or hear during the show. Make one unique board for each guest and give it to them as they walk in. As the show progresses, they can mark the boxes with an X when they see that item. The first guest to mark 5 boxes in a row is the winner![18]
- Fill the boxes with things like "Forgot to thank mother during speech," "Yellow dress," "non-black tuxedo," and "tripped while walking."
- You can create your own bingo card on the computer by making a 5x5 square separated into 25 boxes. Once you fill in the boxes, rearrange them to create each new board.
- Play Oscars trivia before the show and during commercial breaks. Set up a poster board and fill it with pictures of your chosen trivia category, such as Best Picture Winners or Famous Oscar Dresses. Place a sticker over the name of each movie or the face of each actress, mark each photo with a number, and have guests guess the name of each film or actress.[19]
- Print out and post the title of the game as well. For a more creative name than "Oscars trivia," write "Name that Best Picture Winner" or "Name that Oscar Dress."
- For a simpler version, write down 20-30 questions and answers that have to do with Oscars or film history. Shout them out at random throughout the night to see who's paying attention!
- Set out board games and cards if all else fails. If the ceremony gets dull and your guests are getting antsy, feel free to break out the board games or card decks. Don't worry—even the best party planner can't predict a boring show! Be flexible, follow the mood of the party, and keep having fun!
- Look for movie-related games, like Scene It? or Double Feature, and set out old favorites like Monopoly, Clue, or Scrabble.
- Set up the games away from the TV, so guests who still want to watch aren't too distracted.
- Hand out "Oscars" to the winners of your games. Make sure to offer small prizes to the winner of each game. If you don't have plastic Oscar statuettes, hand out a bottle of champagne or a sparkling cider, or even a special dessert.
- Label your foods with any common allergens they might contain, such as nuts. Label dairy and wheat-containing foods as well, in case any of your guests are dairy-free or gluten-free.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Decorations - Long red tablecloth
- Gold glitter/sparkles
- Small candles
- Red roses (real or fake)
- Small vase
- Red or black tablecloths
- Glittery gold streamers
- Metallic foil fringes
- Classic movie posters (optional)
- Plastic Oscar statuettes
- Colored paper plates, silverware, and napkins
- Clear plastic or glass champagne flutes
- Gold tape
[Edit]DIY Oscar Statuettes - Old dolls or action figures
- Vase or wooden block
- Glue
- Gold spray paint
[Edit]Food and Drinks - Tortilla chips
- Guacamole
- Deviled eggs
- Salad (fruit or veggie)
- Popcorn
- Lasagna or large Cobb salad (optional, as a main dish)
- Melted chocolate (for dipping)
- Strawberries
- Chopped bananas
- Marshmallows
- Pretzels
- Oscar statuette-shaped cookie cutter (optional, for Oscars cookies)
- Batch of sugar cookie dough (optional, for Oscars cookies)
- Yellow frosting and gold sprinkles (optional, for Oscars cookies)
- Champagne
- Sparkling cider
- Beer
- Wine
- Juice
- Soda
- Water
- Chopped mushrooms
- Butter (for sauteeing)
- Olive oil (for sauteeing)
- Minced shallots
- Truffle oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Tortilla chips
- Taleggio cheese
- Ricotta cheese
[Edit]Games and Entertainment - TV or computer (to watch show)
- Printed ballots with nominees for each category
- Pen for each guest
- Oscars bingo boards
- Poster board (for trivia)
- Pictures (for trivia)
- Stickers (to cover parts of pictures)
- Board games and cards (optional)
- Plastic statuettes (optional, for winners)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Pizza from Scratch Posted: 09 Feb 2020 12:00 AM PST Making pizza from scratch can be a time-consuming process, but the taste is well worth the extra effort. Prepare the dough, sauce, and ingredients separately. Once each of these elements is ready, combine them and cook the pizza at a high temperature until it turns crispy and delicious. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Pizza Dough Makes enough for two 10-inch to 12-inch (25.4-cm to 30.5-cm) pizzas - 1-1/2 cups (375 ml) warm water
- 1 package or 2-1/4 tsp (11.25 ml) active dry yeast
- 3-1/2 cups (875 ml) bread flour
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tsp (10 ml) salt
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sugar
[Edit]Pizza Sauce Makes 2 cups (500 ml) of sauce - 1 Tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 tsp (10 ml) minced garlic
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) minced sweet onion
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) dried basil
- 1 lb (450 g) diced fresh tomatoes OR 14.5-oz (430-ml) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) sugar
- 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) salt
- 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) ground black pepper
[Edit]Pizza Toppings Makes enough for 1 or 2 pizzas - 8 oz (225 g) mozzarella cheese
- 4-inch (10-cm) stick of pepperoni
- 4 oz (110 g) bulk sausage
- 1/2 of a small onion, roughly chopped
- 1 sweet bell pepper, roughly chopped
- Olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh basil
[Edit]Pizza Assembly - 1 to 2 Tbsp (15 to 30 ml) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) cornmeal
[Edit]Part One: Prepare the Pizza Dough - Combine the water, yeast, salt, and sugar. Place all four ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir gently to combine.
- Ideally, the water should be "blood temperature," or between 96 to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (35.5 to 37 degrees Celsius).
- Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes, or until the yeast fully dissolves and starts to foam.
- Form a well with the flour. Dump the flour out onto a clean, sturdy work surface and form it into a mound. Use your hands to alter the shape of this mound into a deep well with high walls.[1]
- For this recipe, you'll knead the dough by hand. If you plan to use a stand mixer, however, you can place the flour into the bowl of the mixer instead of the table or counter.
- Gradually combine the water and flour. Add one-third of the water mixture. Use a fork to carefully knock some of the flour from the wall of the well into this puddle, but do not allow the well to collapse.
- After mixing the water into the flour, repeat this step with another one-third of the water, followed by the remaining third.
- When finished, a very sticky dough should form.
- Knead for 10 minutes. Dust your hands with flour, then knead the dough by hand for 10 minutes. Stop only when the dough feels firm and cohesive.
- If you'd prefer to knead the dough using a stand mixer, fit it with the dough hook attachment and work the dough on low to medium spread for 10 minutes.[2]
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl. Spread the olive oil over the bottom and sides of a large mixing bowl. Place the dough inside, then turn it several times to coat the surface of the dough with oil.
- Let the dough rise. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to sit in a warm spot for 60 minutes, or until the dough doubles in size.
- Ideally, the air temperature should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 29 degrees Celsius).
- If you do not have a warm enough spot, heat the oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius). Turn off the preheated oven and give it several minutes to cool slightly, then allow the bowl of dough to rise inside.
- Divide the dough. Separate the risen dough into two halves. Roll each half into a ball.
- Place the balls of dough 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on a lightly floured surface. When they expand enough to touch, they'll be ready to use or store.
- If you wish to save one or both rounds for another time, you can place the dough in an airtight container and freeze it for up to two weeks. Fully thaw frozen dough to room temperature before working with it, though.
[Edit]Part Two: Prepare the Pizza Sauce - Crush the tomatoes. Place the diced tomatoes into a medium mixing bowl and crush them using the back of a fork. Continue until the tomatoes are soupy, yet still chunky.[3]
- If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, you could also crush the tomatoes by hand instead of using a fork. Doing so would actually make it easier to control the process.
- Set the tomatoes aside after crushing them.
- Heat the oil. Pour the oil into a heavy, 2-qt (2-L) saucepan. Set the pan on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Give the oil at least 30 to 60 seconds to warm up. You should be able to turn the pan and easily coat the bottom with the oil once it's warm enough.
- Cook the onion. Add the minced onion to the hot oil and cook, stirring frequently, for several minutes or until the onion becomes slightly translucent.
- Cook the garlic. Add the minced garlic to the oil and onion. Saute, stirring frequently, for another minute or until the garlic looks golden in color.[4]
- Watch the contents of the saucepan carefully at this point. Minced garlic can burn quickly if you leave it unattended.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Add the prepared tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper to the saucepan.
- Allow the mixture to cook at medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it begins to boil gently.
- Simmer for at least 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes.
- You can simmer the sauce for up to 90 minutes. A sauce that simmers for longer periods will be thicker and more flavorful.
- Let it cool. Remove the finished sauce from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
- If you want to save part of the sauce or all of the sauce for later, you can pour the cooled sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to one week. If frozen, the sauce can last for up to two months.
- Blend the sauce, if necessary. If the sauce seems too chunky or thick, use an immersion blender to puree it until it reaches the right consistency.
- After you puree the sauce, it should be ready to use.
[Edit]Part Three: Prepare the Toppings - Shred the cheese. Use a box grater to shred the mozzarella cheese into thick shreds. Place the shredded cheese in a bowl and set aside.
- For an even cheesier experience, double the amount of cheese and slice it into 1/4-inch (6-mm) thick pieces.
- You can save time by using pre-shredded cheese or change the flavor by mixing different types of cheese.
- Slice the pepperoni. Use a sharp knife to cut the pepperoni into slices. The slices should be between 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch (3-mm and 6-mm) thick.
- If desired, you could dice the pepperoni into small cubes instead of slicing it.
- You may omit the pepperoni if you do not wish to include it.
- Cook and crumble the sausage. Place the bulk sausage in a skillet set over medium heat. Break it apart into crumbles with a spatula and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes or until the sausage is fully browned.
- The sausage is only optional. You can skip it or add other meats to the pizza, as well. Some meats, like bacon, will need to be cooked and crumbled ahead of time. Others, like ham, only need to be sliced.
- Poach the vegetables in oil. Fill a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan with 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) of olive oil. Heat the oil and poach the onions and peppers for 5 minutes, or until soft.
- While this recipe only lists onions and peppers, you can use other vegetables, as well. Poaching the vegetables in oil will make them taste richer.[5]
- Allow the oil to heat slowly to 190 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius) before adding the vegetables. If the oil sizzles or steams, it is too hot. Poach the vegetables in this hot oil until they soften, then fish them out with a slotted spoon and drain on clean paper towels.
- Tear the basil. Tear the basil into small strips using your hands.
- Do not use a knife. Chopping fresh basil could cause it to bruise.
- You can also experiment with other fresh herbs, like oregano and parsley.
[Edit]Part Four: Assemble and Cook the Pizza - Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Allow the oven to preheat for at least 30 minutes or up to 60 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare a pizza stone or round baking sheet by coating it with a fine, even layer of cornmeal or flour.
- Flatten and shape the dough. Place one rounded ball of dough onto a lightly floured work surface and gently stretch it into a flat circle. Use your hands to push out the edges.
- If necessary, use a lightly floured rolling pin to flatten the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch (6 mm) or less.[6]
- Alternatively, spread the dough out as much as possible on the work surface, then carefully pick it up. Place both fists beneath it and gradually stretch the dough out further, using a circular motion.
- Note that if the dough shrinks back while you roll it out, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before continuing.
- Transfer the dough to the pizza stone. Carefully lift the dough and place it onto the prepared pizza stone or baking sheet. Use your fingers to reshape it as needed.
- Brush olive oil over the crust. Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the top and sides of the dough with olive oil. Use just enough oil for a light coating; do not drench the crust.
- The oil should help the crust remain crisp even after you add the toppings.
- Spread sauce over the dough. Ladle up to 1/4 cup (60 ml) of pizza sauce over the center of the dough. Use the back of the ladle to spread the sauce to the edges.
- Ideally, you should leave 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) between the edge of the sauce and the edge of the pizza dough. Leaving a little space should prevent the sauce from bubbling over the edge of the pizza and making a mess.[7]
- Add your toppings. Spread your cheese over the sauce, followed by the prepared meats and vegetables. Finish by sprinkling the pizza with the chopped herbs.
- Continue to leave 1/2-inch (1.25-cm) of the outer crust edge uncovered.
- Add toppings sparingly. If you add too many, you run the risk of drowning out the flavors instead of allowing them to complement one another.
- Bake the pizza. Place the pizza in the oven and cook it 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese looks golden and the crust looks golden-brown.
- Consider rotating the pizza after the first 5 to 7 minutes to ensure even browning.
- Slice and serve. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for several minutes. When it is cool enough to handle, slice it into serving portions and enjoy.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Prepare the Pizza Dough - Small mixing bowl
- 2 forks
- Cutting board, clean table, or clean countertop
- Large mixing bowl
- Plastic wrap
[Edit]Prepare the Pizza Sauce - Medium mixing bowl
- Fork
- 2-qt (2-L) saucepan
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Immersion blender
[Edit]Prepare the Toppings - Box grater
- Sharp knife
- Small skillet
- Spatula
- Small saucepan
- Slotted spoon
- Paper towels
[Edit]Assemble and Cook the Pizza - Pizza stone or pizza-shaped baking sheet
- Oven
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Pizza slicer
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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