Pizza Dough

Photos By Leandra Blei

Pizza dough is so important. Almost more important then the toppings. I mean, what good is a pizza if the dough is shitty? That's a big no no. There are millions of pizza dough recipes out there, and most are the same, many are different. I just like a basic, delicious, crusty, pizza dough. It is cheap to make and great for freezing. I roll the pizza dough into a ball, then flatten into a disc. Freeze until hard, then vacuum seal. When ready to eat, thaw the pizza dough and roll out! Easy and delicious for a lazy day meal.

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You Will Need:

• 5 cups Flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 Tablespoon Active Dry Yeast (1 package)
• 2 cups Warm Water
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Yellow Cornmeal

In a mixing bowl, add 2 cups of warm water and sprinkle 1 T of yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it proofs. Whisk together flour and salt. Add 3 cups of the flour and salt mixture to the bowl and mix with a dough hook. I use the Kitchen Aid Artisan and I love it! When the flour is combined, add the remaining 2 cups of flour. Mix with the dough hook until all the flour is picked up from the side and the dough is smooth. Pour olive oil over the dough and roll the dough around in it to cover. Place a warm cloth (I run hot water over a paper towel and squeeze the water out) over the dough and place in a warm, non drafty area. Let rise until the pizza dough has doubled in size. About 1-2 hours. Confession, I always put my dough over my dryer and turn it on. I don't know where I got this habit from but everywhere I move this is where I let my dough rise.

When your dough has doubled in size place it on a floured surface, roll it around to get rid of any stickiness. Cut the dough in half. Usually this is where I would roll one out to eat, and freeze the other for a later time.

Before you bake, dust a pizza stone with yellow corn meal. This help the dough to not stick to the bottom of the stone, and also adds flavor and a crunch. Yum! Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Check out my Grilled corn, arugula, & goat cheese pizza with a balsamic-honey crust. Enjoy!

Pizza Dough

You Will Need:

• 5 cups Flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 Tablespoon Active Dry Yeast (1 package)
• 2 cups Warm Water
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Yellow Cornmeal

1. Add warm water to a mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let proof for 5-10 minutes.
2. Whisk together flour and kosher salt.
3. Add 3 cups of the flour mixture to yeast and mix in a Kitchen Aid with a dough hook.
4. When combined add the remaining 2 cups of flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
5. Pour olive oil over the dough and roll it around to cover. Lay a warm cloth over the top, and let rise in a warm, non-drafty place, until it's doubled in size. 1-2 hours.
6. When doubled in size, place dough onto floured surface and roll around to get rid of any stickiness.
7. Cut in half.
8. Roll Dough out very thin, or flatten into a disc and freeze for later use.
9. When you bake, dust pizza stone with yellow cornmeal.
10. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.