Innovative Ways to Utilize Bread and Pizza Dough
Are you tired of the same old bread and pizza dough techniques? There are countless creative and delicious ways to use your dough beyond making loaves and pizzas. From making savory pies to freezing for future use, let's explore some unique ideas that can elevate your culinary game.
1. Delightful Pot Pies and Pockets
Bread dough and pizza dough are incredibly versatile. Experiment with making pot pies, which can be filled with a variety of ingredients such as chicken, beef, or vegetable stews. Alternatively, make mini burritos or burrito pockets. Simply prepare a filling, enclose it in the dough, and fry or bake them to perfection. Another fun idea is to create little pockets of burrito filling and fry them for a crispy texture.
2. Multiple Baking Techniques
Bread dough can be baked in numerous ways, each resulting in a unique flavor and texture. Here are some creative methods:
Grilled Bread Dough
Grilling bread dough is a versatile technique that can add a smoky and charred flavor to your food. Grill each side for 30 to 60 seconds and serve with dips such as hummus, baba ganoush, or caponata. Alternatively, you can pan-fry the dough with a little oil to create a pita-like bread. Cast iron pans are excellent for this technique.
Calzones
Calzones are a wonderful way to utilize bread dough. Roll out the dough, fill with your favorite ingredients, and bake until golden and crispy. You can also shape the dough into triangles and wrap around sausages or hot dogs to make pigs in a blanket. For hot pockets, use your favorite fillings and bake until the bread is nicely browned and the filling is cooked through.
Cinnamon Rolls and Other Sweet Treats
Don't forget about the sweet options. Roll out the dough, spread with soft butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Roll it up, slice into rounds, and bake to perfection. Top with icing for an extra touch of sweetness. Cinnamon rolls are a classic but there are many other sweet options, such as pizza sticks or bread dough stuffed with fruits.
3. Savory Skewer Sticks and More
Making savory skewer sticks is another fun and delicious way to use bread dough. Simply fill your skewers with a variety of ingredients and bake. Other suggestions include:
Calzones Strombolis Focaccia breadsticks and rolls Pizzetti – small appetizer-sized pizzas4. Preservation and Future Use
To ensure you always have dough on hand, consider freezing it. You can roll the dough into balls and store them in freezer bags or shape and partially bake them before freezing. When you're ready to use them, simply build a pizza or other dish and bake until it looks delicious. This method saves time and effort, allowing you to whip up a quick meal whenever you need it.
Additionally, bread dough can be used in a variety of other dishes. Crumble cooked dough to use in cornbread-style stuffing for meat or game side dishes. Utilize your dough to make fresh or frozen pasta of different shapes. You can even add sundried tomato puree or olive puree to your dough to create a spiral effect when cut.
So, the next time you have bread or pizza dough, don't limit yourself to just making loaves or pizzas. Experiment with these creative and delicious ideas, and elevate your culinary repertoire to new heights.