40-Minute Pizza Dough

Directions

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   1.
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   Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
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   Once the oven reaches 200 degrees, set a timer for 10 minutes.
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   2.
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   Using a 2-cup measuring cup, fill it with the warm water.
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   Sprinkle yeast over the warm water and give it a quick stir so that all of the yeast gets wet.
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   Be sure to wipe any yeast sticking to the spoon back into the water.
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   Let the yeast mixture sit for about 5 minutes.
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   3.
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    Add bread flour and kosher salt to the large bowl of a stand mixure, and stir a few times to mix.
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    4.
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    By this time, the yeast should have started to bloom or look fluffy on the surface of the water.
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    If not, give it another minute or two.
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    Add the olive oil into the yeast mixture, and stir it to combine a bit.
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    The oil wont completely mix with the water.
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    5.
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    Turn the mixer on to a medium low setting and gradually pour the yeast and oil mixture into the flour.
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    Once all the liquid has been added, increase the mixer speed to medium and allow it to mix the dough for one minute.
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    The dough will be sticky but not gooey.
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    6.
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    Pour a little blop (about 1 teaspoon) of olive oil into a large, oven safe bowl.
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    Take the dough from the mixing bowl, and roll it around in your hands to make a ball.
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    Put the dough ball into the oil of the other bowl.
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    Swirl the dough around in the oil, and turn it over to coat the dough completely.
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    7.
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    By now, the oven should have been heated to 200 degrees for 10 minutes.
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    Turn off the oven.
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    8.
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    Cover the bowl with the dough in it tightly with plastic wrap.
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    Place the bowl in the warm oven and close the door.
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    Now would be an excellent time to verify that you have turned the oven OFF.
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    9.
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    Allow dough to rise in the warm oven, in its wrapped bowl for 40 minutes or until dough has doubled in bulk.
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    Setting a timer is a good idea here, too.
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    10.
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    Once the dough has doubled in bulk, remove it from the oven.
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    Push down dough, and divide in half (or in 8 equal pieces, if you are making mini pizzas or calzones).
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    Roll pieces into a ball.
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    What to do from here:
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    Freeze for later: At this point, you can put the balls of dough into individual zippered freezer bags and freeze for later.
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    To use, place frozen dough into a large, oiled bowl.
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    Turn to coat.
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    Cover with plastic wrap and allow to thaw and rise on the counter for at least 8 hours or until doubled in bulk.
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    I usually do this first thing in the morning, then it is ready at dinner time.
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    Make pizza: Roll and/or stretch dough to cover a oiled baking sheet.
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    Top with sauce and/or the toppings of your choice.
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    We like to make one pizza brushed with olive oil, shredded cheese, and Italian seasoning, and one with leftover pasta sauce, shredded cheese and pepperoni.
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    Boring, but tasty.
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    If I am feeling sassy and want a grown-up pizza, I may put on shredded chicken, carmelized onions, and goat cheese.
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    Bake in a preheated 500-degree oven for 9-14 minutes, or until cheese is melted, and crust is golden brown.
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    Make calzone/stuffed pizza: Divide dough into 8 equal pieces, roll or stretch out into a 6-inch (or so) circle.
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    Pizza toppings make great fillings, just use less wet ingredients and more meat/veggies/cheese.
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    (Some ideas include browned sausage, cooked, diced potato, onion, and diced roasted red pepper.
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    Cheese and pepperoni.
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    Brie with thinly sliced apple and crumbled, cooked bacon.)
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    Heat filling and place 1/3 cup of warm filling of your choice onto one side of the round, leaving 1/4 inch around the edges.
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    Fold dough in half over the filling and press the edges to seal.
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    Then roll about 1/4 inch of the edge from the bottom over the top and press to seal.
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    Brush the top with olive oil.
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    Bake in a preheated 450-degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
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    Make focaccia bread: Roll and stretch dough onto a sheet pan.
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    Brush the top with olive oil.
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    Sprinkle with a hefty pinch of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
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    Sprinkle with about 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
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    You could also add a small amount of another topping, such as caramelized onions and crumbled goat cheese, or sliced black olives.
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    Bake in a preheated 450-degree oven for 12-18 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is lightly browned.