Pizza Dough

Okay, now that it is finally that season when you can have your oven on at high temperatures for long periods of time, it is pizza season. To make pizza you need a key thing that makes it pizza. That key thing is... DOUGH!

Pizza dough is one of the simplest yeasted items you can make, so don't be scared away by the oh so horribly scary yeast.

First put the warm water and the yeast in a bowl on their own for about 5-10 minutes.

Next add in all the other ingredients.

Now turn on the mixer with the dough hook attached. It may look like it cannot mix together any longer, but give it time!

Eventually it will come together in something resembling a ball. You may then proceed to move it to an oiled bowl. Then you cover the bowl with a warm wet towel to keep in the moisture. Let it sit for 1-2 hours in a warm place without drafts.

When it is done, it should have almost doubled in size.

Then you are done and it is time to make pizza, breadsticks, flat bread, or whatever you are craving!

2 1/4 teaspoons active yeast

1 cup warm water (about 105 to 115 Fahrenheit)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons olive oil (Plus a little more to grease bowl)

2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour 

DIssolve yeast in warm water in warmed bowl. Add salt, olive oil, and 2 1/2 cups flour. Attch bowl and dough hook. Turn on your mixer at a medium speed.

Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough clings to the hook and the side of the bowl is clean. Place in greased bowl and turn over so it is all equally covered in oil. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about an hour.