| STEP 1 |
: |
Sprinkle the yeast into a medium bowl
containing 1 1/4 c. warm water and stir until yeast
dissolves. |
| STEP 2 |
: |
Add 2 c. sifted flour and stir until blended.
|
| STEP 3 |
: |
Add another 1 1/2 to 2 c. flour and blend until
too stiff to stir with a spoon. |
| STEP 4 |
: |
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and
knead it for 10 to 15 minutes until dough is smooth
and elastic. |
| STEP 5 |
: |
Place the dough in another bowl greased with a
small amount of oil. Turn the dough once so that
the top is oiled. |
| STEP 6 |
: |
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in
a warm place for about 45 minutes - until the dough
rises to about double its original size. |
| STEP 7 |
: |
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F |
| STEP 8 |
: |
Dump the dough back onto the floured surface and
punch it down, getting rid of any bubbles. Divide
the dough in half and let it rest a few minutes.
|
| STEP 9 |
: |
Roll each half into a 12-inch circle, depending
on your personal preference for how thick pizza
crust should be. (It will puff slightly when baked.)
|
| STEP 10 |
: |
Transfer the dough to an oiled pizza pan or baking
sheet, or, if you have a baking stone, to a cornmeal-sprinkled
wooden pizza peel for transfer directly to the stone.
|
| STEP 11 |
: |
Add sauce, cheese and toppings as desired. If
you like, brush exposed edges of the crust with
olive oil. |
| STEP 12 |
: |
Bake each pizza for 15 to 20 minutes, or until
crust is nicely browned and cheese is melted. |
