Basic Pizza Dough
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 package Quick-Rise Yeast (yellow/orange package)-you can also use traditional yeast and prepare according to package directions (1/4 cup warm water, 1 package of yeast and 1 tsp sugar and left sit 10 minutes until foamy. Will have to add an additional 3/4 cup water after).
Place 1 1/2 cups of flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a food processor. Combine until blended. If you do not have a food processor, combine in a bowl.
Then add:
- 1 cup warm tap water
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Combine until blended. Add remainder of flour gradually until it hold it shape. You do not want it too firm. Combine for approximately 1 minute. You can then turn it out on to the counter and knead it for a couple of minutes. Knead for 10 minutes if you do not have a food processor. Place in lightly greased bowl, cover with a dishcloth and let it rise for one hour in a warm place (turn empty microwave on for one minute at high, turn it off, then place bowl in microwave with door closed-do not turn on microwave when pizza dough inside!).
Preheat oven to 450.
Form pizza dough into small pizza's or two large pizzas. Flour work surface and turn dough out onto work surface. Shape as desired. You can use a rolling pin, if you would like (we do). Place rolled dough onto parchment paper lined pans. Spread on pizza sauce or sundried tomato pesto. Add whatever toppings you want (such as, pepperoni, peppers, corn, bacon, olives, jalapenos, chicken, caramelized onions, black beans, basil, goat cheese) and top with Mozzarella cheese or the cheese of your choice. Cook in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.
We also use this dough to make cinnamon buns-a favorite!
Eat and enjoy!
