Pizza dough from Scratch
Makes 1 lb of dough or 4 10 inch pies
You must make dough ahead of time so it can rise. You can refrigerate it for 2 days but it is best when fresh.
Ingredients:
1 tsp sugar
1 packet (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
2 tsp Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more for bowl and brushing of dough
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 1/4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
Directions:
-Pour 1 cup of warm water into a medium bowl; add sugar and sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, 5 minutes.
-Whisk oil and tsp salt into yeast mixture. Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon until liquid is incorporated (dough will appear dry). Turn out onto floured work surface. Knead until dough comes together in a elastic ball (about 2 minutes). Transfer to an oiled, medium bowl; brush lightly with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; set in a warm, draft free place until dough has doubled in bulk (about 45 minutes). Punch down dough and cover; let sit another 30 minutes.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide into 4 equal parts. Let dough rest about 15 minutes before using.
Making the PIZZA:
Stretch the dough: On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll 1 piece of dough to desired shape. Brush one side (lightly) with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Grilling:
Heat one side of grill to medium - high heat. Clean and oil hot grill. Using your hands put dough over direct heat source. Brush dough with olive oil and cook until lightly charred and bubbles form all over the top, 1 to 2 minutes. With tongs, flip dough and cook until lightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Slide dough to cooler side of grill. Add topings. Put pizza on the opposite side of grill so it is getting indirect heat.
Oven or skillet:
Cook pizza in a preheated oven on a preheated baking sheet with a non-stick silicone mat or on a pizza stone. Preheat oven to 500F. Put all of your toppings on and cook at the same time.
*Recipe adapted from Food Everyday, issue 74