In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
Wine Spectator|October 31, 2024
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
AARON ROMANO
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust

Tony Gemignani is a 13-time World Pizza Championship winner and owner of 22 food concepts across the country, including Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco. In addition to his restaurant empire, over his 30-plusyear career he’s shared his love and knowledge of pizza through cookbooks and classes.

Gemignani says home cooks should start by selecting a high-gluten, high-protein flour to achieve a chewy yet crispy crust. His proprietary flour blend has a 15% protein content, but a typical pizza flour should have around 12%.

Weighing ingredients is critical to ensure appropriate ratios. Gemignani likes to quip, “Weighing is the way,” and advises always using a digital scale. Also, starting the dough at least one day ahead is important. “You want to plan for it,” says Gemignani. “It’s something that not everyone maybe has time to do, but the longer you let the yeast feed, the better flavor.”

Further, a higher hydration percentage (ratio of water to flour), ranging from 60% to 80% water content, will also go a long way, explains Gemignani. “Sometimes people under-hydrate because they’re worried about a soggy pizza, but water has no bearing on making a soggy pizza.”

However, working with wetter dough will make it harder to transport the pizza to the oven. Gemignani says cornmeal or semolina on the pizza peel will help the dough slide effortlessly into the oven. Alternatively, a perforated pizza peel allows excess flour to fall through and prevents it from making a mess of the oven.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 31, 2024 من Wine Spectator.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 31, 2024 من Wine Spectator.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WINE SPECTATOR مشاهدة الكل
Shipwrecked Champagne Hoard Discovered Near Sweden
Wine Spectator

Shipwrecked Champagne Hoard Discovered Near Sweden

It sometimes feels like wine has a habit of falling into the briny deep. On July 23, Polish wreck diver and underwater photographer Tomasz Stachura announced that he and his Baltictech team had discovered the wreck of a 19th-century sailing ship near Öland, an island off the coast of Sweden—and it was crammed with bottles of Champagne and mineral water.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Openings: The Latest in Napa Tasting
Wine Spectator

Openings: The Latest in Napa Tasting

Several new tasting options have opened in Napa Valley, particularly in downtown Napa where wineries are launching satellite tasting rooms. Standing out from the crowd means trying new approaches. Here are some highlights:

time-read
1 min  |
December 15, 2024
War in Middle East Affects Vintners
Wine Spectator

War in Middle East Affects Vintners

The 2024 harvest at Israel’s Dalton Winery was punctuated by nonstop rocket and drone attacks launched from just across the border in Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Wineries Sue Napa County in Federal Court
Wine Spectator

Wineries Sue Napa County in Federal Court

Three Napa wineries filed a joint lawsuit in federal court in September alleging that Napa County officials violated their constitutional rights.

time-read
1 min  |
December 15, 2024
Savoring Persimmon Season
Wine Spectator

Savoring Persimmon Season

For many, persimmons are an enigma ingredient. Chef David Nayfeld of Award of Excellence-winning Che Fico in San Francisco and its Best of Award of Excellence sibling dangling persimmons off the tree with a stick at a childhood friend's house before realizing what they were. \"I remember his parents saying, 'Hey, don't hit the persimmons, those are food!\"\"

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Tasting Plate: A German Six-Pack
Wine Spectator

Tasting Plate: A German Six-Pack

Though it boasts Western Europe’s largest population and biggest economy, Germany is nowhere near the cheese juggernaut its neighbors Switzerland and France are. That said, the Germans love their fine cheeses, and they do turn out some excellent ones, fortunately including more than a handful that are currently available here in the U.S.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Gigondas Blanc Est Arrivé!
Wine Spectator

Gigondas Blanc Est Arrivé!

Ask winemakers in the Southern Rhône to name the most exciting white grape in their region and you will hear a growing number of them say \"Clairette.\"

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Kistler's DARKER SIDE
Wine Spectator

Kistler's DARKER SIDE

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ups the ante at the house that Chardonnay built

time-read
6 mins  |
December 15, 2024
THE SPLENDOR OF CHAMPAGNE
Wine Spectator

THE SPLENDOR OF CHAMPAGNE

THE REGION'S LEADING PRODUCERS DELIVER HIGH QUALITY AMID A DIVERSE RANGE OF STYLES

time-read
9 mins  |
December 15, 2024
MICHAEL BATTERBERRY: 1932-2010 Gourmet, Journalist, Gentleman
Wine Spectator

MICHAEL BATTERBERRY: 1932-2010 Gourmet, Journalist, Gentleman

Before Food Network, Top Chef or Yelp ... before the term “foodie\" ... before tomatoes were heirloom and sushi was fast food... back when fancy restaurants were always French... Michael Batterberry and his wife, Ariane, were working to celebrate and elevate the status of American chefs and international cuisine. Julie Mautner, Food Arts' former executive editor, looks at the life and legacy of her late mentor, affectionately known as The Bat.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 15, 2024