Pizza Dough

No one doesn't like pizza. Though sometimes I get tired of pre made pizza bases. Here is a recipe for pizza dough, add toppings for pizza, or wrap it around 'stuffing' for pide.

Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 3 1/2 cups white flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method

1. In a small bowl add 1 1/2 cups of warm water. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of yeast on the water and stir to dissolve. Set aside for about 10 minutes until the yeast starts forming bubbles.
2. Add 3 1/2 cups of white flour to a large bowl and shape to allow a depression in the center.
3. Once yeast is ready, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt, then pour into the large bowl with the flour. The depression you made should contain it momentarily.
4. Stir the yeast mixture into the dough. Once somewhat mixed, knead with your hands. It may seem dry initially, but as you continue to knead it should become more sticky. Once well worked, form it into a ball.
5. Grease a medium-sized bowl with olive oil and set your dough ball inside. Score the top of the ball to allow for expansion.
6. Cover with a towel (you might want to dampen it slightly) and set aside for about an hour to rise. Someplace warm is best.
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and remove from bowl.
8. Form into a elongated shape, then cut into pieces. Cutting into quarters will result in 4 approximately 8" pizzas.
9. Spread a light coat of flour on your cutting board and rolling pin.
10. Take one of your dough lumps, center it on the board, and start rolling it out. The thickness is a personal preference. If your dough gets out of circular shape, tuck the offending section back in, and continue rolling.
11. Once you're happy with the thickness and shape, fold the edges over to form the crust. Press with your fingers to secure.

Recipe