Perfect Pizza Dough

• servings: 4 (8" pizzas)

Ingredients

1/4 cup (2oz) warm water (110 to 115 degrees F)

2 1/4 tsp Saf-Instant yeast

3 1/4 cups (16 1/4 oz) AP flour or 00 'Italian style' flour

1 1/2 tsp sea salt

1 cup (8 oz) water

2 tbsp (1 1/2 oz) EVOO plus 1 tbsp for brushing

Directions

To prepare the yeast mixture

Place the warm water in a small bowl and sprinkle with yeast.

Cover with plastic wrap and let stand fo 5 mins or until foamy.

Stir to dissolve if necessary

To prepare the dough

In stand mixer with dough paddle, combine flour and salt and mix briefly to combine

Turn mixer to low speed, and yeast and mix to combine

Add the water and 3 tbsp of OO and knead the dough until smooth and elastic - about 5 mins. Alternatively you can knead by hand on floured surface for 10 mins.

Shape the dough into a smooth ball, place on a floured surface and cover with an inverted bowl, plastic wrap or a damp cloth.

Let ris at room temp for about 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in bulk.

When the dough is ready, use a large knife or bench scraper to divid into 4 equal parts.

With lightly floured hands, press out any bubbles and form each piece into a small smooth ball.