Recipe: No-Nonsense Pizza Dough (one 30-60 minute rise)

NO-NONSENSE PIZZA DOUGH

1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
1 teaspoon sugar (or 1 teaspoon honey)
1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
4 cups bread flour (or all purpose flour), plus additional for kneading surface
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk (or 1/4 cup water)*
2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin is best)
TOPPINGS:
Your favorite spaghetti sauce
Shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese and Jack or Parmesan cheese
Cooked meats
Pizza style vegetables, such as mushrooms, sliced peppers, and chopped onions

TO PREPARE THE DOUGH:
Combine 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water, sugar or honey, and yeast. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes. Allow to foam up (or proof).

Place the flour salt a large mixing bowl; stir to combine well. Add the yeast mixture, milk and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir together using a wooden spoon or clean hands.

Knead on a floured surface 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.

TO SHAPE AND BAKE:
Preheat oven 450 degrees F. 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).

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. Top with your favorite spaghetti sauce, spreading out using the back 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 minutes, but watch it! When the bottom looks slightly browned and the pizza looks bubbly, remove from oven.

*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.

Adapted from source: jo westcoast