Pizza Dough Recipe
Makes 2 Big Pizza Bases
Ingredients:
-2 cups strong bread flour or Italian type 00 flour, plus extra for dusting (I bet if you wanted you could try using whole wheat flour)
-1 envelope (1/8 ounce) active dry yeast
-2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing the trays
-1 envelope (1/8 ounce) active dry yeast
-2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing the trays
Directions:
- You will need 2/3 cup warm water, so first measure 1/3 cup cold water in a measuring cup and then add 1/3 cup hot water. Dip your finger in to test the temperature-it should just feel warm.
- Sift the flour into a really big bowl. Sprinkle the dried yeast over it.
- Make a well- a big hole-in the middle of the flour, deep enough so that you can see the bottom of the bowl. Pour the warm water and olive oil into the well.
- Use a wooden spoon to mix everything into a soft bowl.
- Sprinkle a little flour over your counter and place the dough onto the flour. Knead the dough by pushing it away from you with the base of your hands and then pulling it back with your fingers. Keep doing this for about 5 minutes until you can stretch the dough like a big piece of elastic.
- Wash and dry your bowl. Shape your dough into a big ball, put into the bowl and cover with a clean dish towel. Leave in a warm place for about 1 hour , until it has doubled in size- watch it grow!
- Using a pastry brush, brush 2 large baking trays with a little oil or cut 2 pieces of baking parchment to fit the trays.
- Sprinkle a little flour over the counter. Take the dough out of the bowl and cut it in half with a table knife.
- Flatten each half with your hands and a rolling pin, and shape it into a big round about the size of a large dinner plate, about 1/4 inch thick. Do the same with the other half of the dough to make 2 rounds.
- Lift the dough onto your baking trays- you may need to ask someone to help you with this! You are now ready to add your toppings.