HOME-MADE BREAD: Once you master bread making at home, making pizza for the family will be a fun thing to do.

CRUSTY PIZZA DOUGH

 

 

 

1 tbsp. active dry yeast                                               

1 cup warm water + 1 tsp. sugar                                                                     

2 ½ to 3 cups all purpose flour

½ tsp. salt                                                                    

2 tsp. olive oil

 

 

 

Proof yeast in ½ cup warm water and sugar for 10-15 minutes, stir down and stand for 5 minutes more. Add olive oil.

 

Put 2 ½ cups flour and salt in mixing bowl of Standing Mixer with dough hook attached. Turn to speed 2 and mix a few seconds. With machine running, add yeast water and ½ cup warm water into flour. Continue beating, adding ½ cup flour gradually until dough clings to hook and cleans side of bowl. Knead dough for 2 minutes more.

 

Remove dough and place it in greased bowl, turning over to grease all over. Cover with tea towel and let it rise in warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

 

Punch dough down, and turn it out onto a floured surface. Allow to rest, covered, for 25 minutes before shaping.

 

Brush a 14-inch pizza pan with oil, sprinkle with cornmeal. Stretch dough and fit into pan, forming a collar around edge to hold in fillings. Top with desired fillings. Bake at preheated 450 degrees F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.