Pizza Dough

Ingredients

• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 package instant yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 3/4 cup water very warm

Instructions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
2. 2. Add the flour, salt, and yeast to the mixer and start it on low, using the dough hook.
3. 3. Add the oil.
4. Note: I measure and add the oil while I let the tap run on hot so it can warm up.
5. 4. Then add the warm, almost hot water.
6. 5. Let the mixer run for a couple of minutes while the dough comes together. Then turn the mixer up to medium or medium-low and let it knead the dough for 8-10 minutes. I like to see how fast I can clean up the counters and dishes, put ingredients away, and prep the pans during this time.
7. 6. Prep your pans: Spray them with spray oil. Optional: Then lightly dust with some corn meal. The original recipe doesn’t call for this, but I like to.
8. 7. Stop the mixer and let it rest for a few minutes. Now I’m going to give you two methods to follow next. The first one is the one the book recommends. The second one is my preferred method.
9. 1) You can transfer it to an oiled bowl and let it rise for about an hour - until doubled. Punch it down and divide it into 2 to 3 even balls, depending on how many pizzas you want to make and how big you want them. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes more at room temperature. Then roll out the dough and proceed with making your pizzas.
10. -OR-
11. 2) You can do what I often end up doing…since I sometimes don’t leave myself enough time to do all that was listed in the first method. You can just roll the dough out right away and proceed with the rest of the steps.
12. The first way actually makes a lighter, and sometimes puffier crust…at least for me. My pizza doesn’t end up looking like the cookbook picture. Maybe because I use a non-preheated cookie sheet and not a pre-heated pizza stone? I just know that I have made this pizza both ways probably at least a dozen times each and it is always turns out a bit puffy and light when I do it the first way.
13. The second way makes a little bit crisper, chewier crust. I like the second way’s taste and texture better AND I don’t have to fuss with the rising and resting bit. It’s win-win for me.
14. 8. Now…roll out the dough and place it on your prepared pans.
15. I use a combination of a rolling pin and just stretching it with my hands.Use a little bit of flour if you need to, to keep the dough from sticking to the counter and your hands. Most of the time my dough doesn’t need it though.
16. 9. Add sauce cheese and toppings.
17. 10. Bake on a cookie sheet for 10-15 minutes at 500 degrees.