Recipe: Basic Pizza Dough (using honey)

BASIC PIZZA DOUGH

2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup plus 1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F), divided use
2 teaspoons honey
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons olive oil
about 3 1/2 cups unbleached flour, divided use

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the 1/3 cup warm water. Let it proof until puffy, about 10 minutes.

Stir together the yeast mixture, remaining 1 1/4 cups warm water, honey, salt, olive oil and 1 cup of the flour in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until blended. Add remaining flour, a little at a time.

Turn out the dough onto a floured board and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes while you wash the bowl and rub it with a few teaspoons of olive oil.

Then knead dough for 3 minutes. Place dough in bowl and turn to coat it well with the olive oil. Let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

Punch down dough. At this point you may form the pizzas, or refrigerate the dough for several hours, well wrapped in plastic so it won't dry out. (Although a refrigerator rest is not necessary, it makes the dough easier to handle.)

Shape, top and bake as desired.

Makes enough dough for two (12-inch) pizzas, or two (10-inch) thick-crust pizzas
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, February 6, 1991