Pizza Dough

[ILNY]

How do you make italian pizza dough?

[The Reporter]

I've just made two large (12") pizza bases to take to a party tonight... here's my recipe for the dough:-

1/2 tsp fast action dried yeast
300g strong white flour
1/2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
180 ml water

Either place all the above ingredients into a bread maker and set for pizza dough program (about 45 mins) or use this hand method:-

Mix the dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar, yeast) together in a large mixing bowl then mix in the oil and finally add the water. Knead for 5-10 minutes until you have a soft elastic dough (you may need to add a little more flour if it's wet and sticky, or a little water if the dough is hard).

Split the dough into two portions and roll each one out to a 12" diameter circle (this assumes you have two 12" pizza trays - just adjust the split to fit the size of trays you have). Generously oil the pizza trays and lay the bases on the trays, oiling the upper surface of the dough as well. Cover each tray with a damp tea towel or some cling film and leave to *prove* in a warm (NOT hot) place until the dough bases have risen up (45 - 60 mins).

You can now remove the cling film or tea towel, add your filling/toppings and bake in a pre-heated oven 220 deg C, Gas 7 for 15-20 mins or until brown.