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Basic Pizza Dough

"This dough can be prepared in a food processor or standing mixer or by hand with a wooden spoon. The food processor is the fastest and my first choice. Shaping the dough is best done by hand. If the dough is too elastic and won't stretch as much you'd like, let it rest for 5 or 10 minutes and try again." The cookbook this is from: 'The Complete Italian Vegetarian' by Jack Bishop, is worth the investment.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
1teaspoon active dry yeast (1/2 envelope)--I use the whole thing
2Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 1/2cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2teaspoons kosher salt
Cornmeal for sprinkling

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Since I only use the food-processor to make my crust, those are the instructions I'm including. I'm pretty sure any even slightly experienced cook can figure out how to do it with the other methods.
2.Pour water into the work bowl of the food processor fitted with the metal blade.
3.Add yeast and oil.
4.Process for several seconds until smooth.
5.Add flour and salt
6.Process until the dough comes together in a ball, about 30 seconds.
7.Turn the dough into a lightly oiled large bowl and cover with a damp cloth.
8.Let rise until the dough is puffy and has almost doubled in bulk, about an hour. (I put mine on Bob's fishtank light cover. Warm and moist. Perfect)
9.Divide the dough in half and place each half in a separate lightly oiled medium bowl.
10.Let rise 20 minutes.
11.(The dough can be refrigerated in separate airtight containers overnight or frozen for up to a 1 month. Bring to room temerature before rolling out.
12.Preheat oven to 450 degrees
13.Lightly sprinkle a pizza peel or large rimless baking sheet with cormeal.
14.Flatten 1 dough ball into an 8-inch disk. Pat the disk enough to level out the dough.
15.Slowly rotate the disk, stretching the dough to the side as you turn it.
16.Thin the edge by flattening and stretchin it with your fingertips. The circle of dough should have a diameter of about 12 inches.
17.Top and bake the pizza as desired.
18.AĆ