Easy Pizza Dough – enough for one large pizza crust
1 cup warm water (37 C thank you bio-chemist sister-in-law)
2 tsp active dry yeast (or 1 pkg)
1/4 tsp. sugar
2 3/4 to 3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp olive or vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 450 F. Put rack on lowest part of oven.
If you have a kitchen aid mixer, this is a good time to use it. Use the dough hook attachment. Disolve yeast in warm water with the 1/4tsp sugar added – let sit until foaming (about 5 minutes). Add 2 cups of flour, oil and salt. Beat until smooth, then add enough additional flour to form a soft dough. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (you should be able to stretch it somewhat, without it tearing). If you have a mixer, using the dough hook mix at medium speed for about 5 minutes. Cover and let stand for about 10 mintues. While the dough is resting, grate your cheese, chop your veggies, slice your meats – whatever you plan on putting on your pizza. Shape the pizza dough to fit the pan, top it with sauce, a little of the cheese, the toppings, more cheese … you get the idea. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes until edges are brown and cheese is bubbling. If you want to proof the dough, then let it rise in a warm place for an hour or so, then punch it down and carry on shaping and topping.