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Parent Category: Recipes
4 cups bread or all purpose flour (white)
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
1 packet active dry yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil (any good brand), but extra virgin is best
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar, or 1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup milk or 1/4 cup water
Preheat oven 450°F.
I prefer using milk for the liquid in this recipe. It adds flavor to
your dough. But if you don't have it, use water.
Using a large ceramic mixing bowl, or any suitable food safe bowl, add
the flour, make a "well" in middle, and put in 1 teaspoon salt, stir
to combine well. Set aside.
Prepare the starter: In a liquid measuring cup pour in 1 1/4 cups
lukewarm water, 1 teaspoon sugar or honey, and one package of active
dry yeast. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes. Allow to foam up (or proof).
Next, mix the starter (yeast water) and the milk in the bowl
containing the flour with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir together using
a wooden spoon or clean hands.
Note: You will need additional flour to knead on the surface that
you're working on. Knead for about 8 minutes or until you get a smooth
elastic rubbery dough ball.
Set aside in bowl, drizzle with a little olive oil to keep the dough
from drying out. Let dough sit covered lightly with plastic wrap or
use a plate or damp clean towel to cover it.
Allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes to an hour. Flatten dough and
press out into a circle to fit the pan it will be baked in. Spread it
out evenly, don't be afraid to lift underneath to stretch the dough.
Sprinkle baking pan with yellow cornmeal or Farina. If you don't have
these on hand you can use flour or simply grease the pan with olive
oil using a paper towel.
Top with your favorite spaghetti sauce, spreading out using the back
323
of a spoon, then add shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese, and jack or
Parmesan cheese.
Layer on some cooked meats, and add pizza style vegetables, such as
mushrooms, sliced peppers, and chopped onions.
Bake for about 12-14 mins, but watch it!
When the bottom looks slightly browned and the pizza looks bubbly,
remove from oven.
Now enjoy the best pizza you ever had!
