1Add 450g of warm water (around 90°F/32°C) into a 6-quart high-sided lidded container.
2Add 450g of warm water (around 90°F/32°C) into a 6-quart high-sided lidded container.
3Add 450g of warm water (around 90°F/32°C) into a 6-quart high-sided lidded container.
4Add 7g of instant yeast to the water and stir to combine.
5Add 7g of instant yeast to the water and stir to combine.
6Add 7g of instant yeast to the water and stir to combine.
7Add 20g of sugar, 20g of olive oil, 15g of salt, and 680g of all-purpose flour to the mixture.
8Add 20g of sugar, 20g of olive oil, 15g of salt, and 680g of all-purpose flour to the mixture.
9Add 20g of sugar, 20g of olive oil, 15g of salt, and 680g of all-purpose flour to the mixture.
10Stir the ingredients with a sturdy spoon until the flour has absorbed most of the water and the dough forms a lumpy mass that can no longer be stirred.
11Stir the ingredients with a sturdy spoon until the flour has absorbed most of the water and the dough forms a lumpy mass that can no longer be stirred.
12Stir the ingredients with a sturdy spoon until the flour has absorbed most of the water and the dough forms a lumpy mass that can no longer be stirred.
13Wet your hand and finish mixing the dough by squeezing and bringing everything together until it's just hydrated flour.
14Wet your hand and finish mixing the dough by squeezing and bringing everything together until it's just hydrated flour.
15Wet your hand and finish mixing the dough by squeezing and bringing everything together until it's just hydrated flour.
16Cover the container with a lid and set it aside for 25 minutes at room temperature to allow for a short spurt of fermentation.
17Cover the container with a lid and set it aside for 25 minutes at room temperature to allow for a short spurt of fermentation.
18Cover the container with a lid and set it aside for 25 minutes at room temperature to allow for a short spurt of fermentation.
19After 25 minutes, the dough will have risen by about 50%, and the flour will look more hydrated.
20After 25 minutes, the dough will have risen by about 50%, and the flour will look more hydrated.
21After 25 minutes, the dough will have risen by about 50%, and the flour will look more hydrated.
22Place the covered container with the dough into the refrigerator to ferment overnight (or for 24 to 48 hours for best results).
23Place the covered container with the dough into the refrigerator to ferment overnight (or for 24 to 48 hours for best results).
24Place the covered container with the dough into the refrigerator to ferment overnight (or for 24 to 48 hours for best results).
25After overnight fermentation in the fridge, the dough will have risen about two and a half times and be full of gas bubbles.
26After overnight fermentation in the fridge, the dough will have risen about two and a half times and be full of gas bubbles.
27After overnight fermentation in the fridge, the dough will have risen about two and a half times and be full of gas bubbles.
28Flip the overnight dough onto a lightly floured surface.
29Flip the overnight dough onto a lightly floured surface.
30Flip the overnight dough onto a lightly floured surface.
31Pull the dough outwards left and right by about 6 inches to prepare it for shaping.
32Pull the dough outwards left and right by about 6 inches to prepare it for shaping.
33Pull the dough outwards left and right by about 6 inches to prepare it for shaping.
Starting with warm water (around 90°F/32°C) gets the fermentation off to a vigorous start and helps the yeast stay active in the fridge.
Dry active yeast can be used as a direct substitute for instant yeast, but instant yeast gets the fermentation started much faster.
For a quicker option, ferment the dough at room temperature for an additional 90 minutes after the initial 25-minute fermentation. Be warned, this dough will be weaker and have less flavor.
For best flavor and strength, ferment the dough in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.
To shape the dough, gently pull it outwards from left to right on a lightly floured surface.