Basic pizza crust: make some ahead of time
and freeze until needed.
Basic Pizza Dough
- 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
or 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
- Dissolve yeast in warm water (105°
to 115°F); stir in oil and salt. Beat with an electric mixer
at low speed for 1 minute, scraping the sides of the bowl often.
Continue beating for another 3 minutes at high speed.
- Fold in 2 1/2 cups flour.
- Dust a work surface with flour and knead
in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that
is smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Grease a bowl and top of dough. Cover
and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Coat pizza pan with a dab of oil or cornmeal
to prevent crust from sticking. Punch down and spread dough into
pizza pan.
- Add toppings and bake according to pizza
recipe directions.
Makes 8 servings.