Basic Pizza Dough

Directions

1. 1
   Add 3/4 cup (6 oz) hot tap water to the metal mixing bowl of a stand mixer.
2. 2
   Add sugar, then yeast.
3. 3
   Give it a stir by hand with the dough hook and leave it be for a few minutes to hydrate.
4. 4
   (The metal bowl will cool the water quickly to just the right temperature.)
5. 5
   Add the flour, salt, and the glug-glug of olive oil.
6. 6
   Mix slowly to incorporate dry flour, then put it on medium speed.
7. 7
   If it looks sticky, add a tablespoon of the bread flour.
8. 8
   If it looks dry and ropy, add a teaspoon or less of water.
9. 9
   Let it mix for at least 5-10 minutes.
10. 10
    It should be as smooth as a babys bottom.
11. 11
    Spray a pan with oil, portion dough in half, and let it rest in the fridge for a few hours.
12. 12
    (The dough freezes well too, but triple wrap it.)
13. 13
    If youre in a hurry, let it proof on the counter top.
14. 14
    I use a rolling pin to flatten it a bit on a floured surface, then hand-toss it for the kids and the ladies at church.
15. 15
    For thick crust dough, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to a 9 cake tin or pie pan, and roll out a circular disc of dough.
16. 16
    Make sure the oil covers the bottom of the pan, then leave the dough to proof in the pan.
17. 17
    Makes two pizzas.
18. 18
    Doubling the recipe is a bit much for my mixer, but Ive increased it by half with good results.