An expert weighs in on the controversy over whether to use a cooked or uncooked sauce on your pizzas.
Zeak's Tweaks
Understanding the Role of Yeast in Pizza Dough
All three types of yeast perform comparably and result in the same flavor profiles for pizza when used at the correct substitution levels. Instant dry yeast (IDY), possibly the most widely used type in pizza dough, has a shelf life of one to two years at room-temperature (65° to 80°F) … More
Zeak's Tweaks
The Secret to Making Flavorful Focaccia
A noted dough expert takes you through a unique recipe for making focaccia bread for your pizza restaurant.
Food & Ingredients
Making the Most of Mozzarella
Q: What’s the best way to store mozzarella, and how long will it last before it goes bad? A: Fresh mozzarella comes in a variety of ball- and loaf-shape sizes and is typically packaged in brine, whey or water/liquid packing solution, which helps retain its shape, moisture and soft, creamy, slightly elastic … More
Dough Information Center
Expand Your Pizzeria’s Menu With These Signature Appetizers
The unknown person who first hit upon the secret of mixing flour and water to create dough did a big favor for the human race. Dough is one of the most versatile foodstuffs in the world, the basis of everything from flatbreads and dumplings to biscuits, cookies, pastries, pasta … More
Food & Ingredients
Extending Mozzarella's Shelf Life
QUESTION: Can you offer any suggestions for prolonging the shelf life of fresh mozzarella cheese? ANSWER: In an earlier column, we explored several different options for storing fresh mozzarella, but there are some tricks for making it last longer, too. For starters, you should not reach into the liquid packing … More
Dough Information Center
Reducing Salt Levels in Pizza Dough
Jeff Zeak looks at the various ways of lowering sodium content without sacrificing flavor in your pizza dough.
Zeak's Tweaks
Choosing the Right Dusting Flour for Your Pizza
To keep your pizza dough from sticking to the peel, try these dusting-flour alternatives.
Dough Information Center
How Can I Make Sure My Breadsticks Last Longer?
You can gently reheat bread products for a short period of time for a fresher taste, but they will not stay that way very long.
Zeak's Tweaks
The Wide Varieties of Pizza Doughs and Crusts
Pizza is an ancient food, born of the need to find a simple way of enriching bread to make it more substantial and tastier. Pizza dough and the resulting baked crust is a member of the flatbread family. However, the most interesting aspect of pizza is its variety. The universal success of pizza is contained within a fairly … More
Zeak's Tweaks
Garlic knots, recipe testing and dough to go
QUESTION: I’d like to add garlic knots to my menu, but I’ve tasted ones that are either too greasy or don’t have enough garlic flavor. Do you have a good recipe? ANSWER: You can very easily use your current dough for the production of garlic knots. Cut your dough into 2-ounce pieces, roll them into 4” to … More
Zeak's Tweaks
Tips for Using a Biscuit Mix to Make a Breakfast Pizza
Q: Have you ever heard of someone using biscuit mix for a breakfast pizza? A: Yes. Using a biscuit dough as a crust base is another option you can consider when building a breakfast pizza. The recipe below has worked for me in several applications. In a mixing bowl, blend together … More