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Basic Pizza Dough

Makes: 38 - 40cm | 15 - 16inch pizza

  • 1.75 teaspoons active, dry yeast
  • 335ml | 10.5fl oz warm water
  • 125ml | 4fl oz olive oil
  • 450g | 1lb plain flour, sifted
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • pinch of sugar
  • Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water in a large mixing bowl. Leave it for about 5 minutes, until it gets foamy. Add in the oil, flour and salt and mix well until it forms a rough dough. Turn onto a floured board and knead it for another 5 minutes until it is smooth - add more flour at this stage if you think it's necessary. Put the dough into a large bowl and cover it with a damp cloth then leave it somewhere warm for about one and a half to two hours until it has doubled in size. Roll it out on a floured board to the thickness and shape you require. Personally, I think thinner is better, but it’s up to you! Now it is all ready for whatever topping you fancy: I find it quite handy to make a bit of a rim so that the topping doesn't fall off during cooking.

    When it's all ready to go just put it into a preheated oven, 200C (400F, gas 6) for about 25 minutes.

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