Recipe For Quick Pizza Dough

Quick Pizza Dough

Ingredients

.....2 to 2 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
.....A 1/4 ounce package fast acting yeast
.....1/2 teaspoon sugar
.....2 tablespoons olive oil
.....1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

In a large bowl whisk together 3/4 cup of the flour, the yeast, the sugar, and 2/3 cup hot water (130 degrees). Stir in the oil, 1 1/4 cups of the remaining flour, and the salt and blend the mixture until it forms a dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface, incorporating as much of the remaining 1/4 cup flour as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.

Alternatively, the dough may be made in a food processor. In a food processor combine 3/4 cup of the flour, the yeast, and the sugar, with the motor running add 2/3 cup hot water (130 degrees), and turn the motor off. Add the oil, 1 1/4 cups of the remaining flour, and the salt and process the mixture until it forms a ball, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if it is too dry, or more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if it is too wet. Kneed the dough by processing it for 15 seconds.

The dough, prepared by either method, may be used immediately, but for better flavor it is best to let it rise once. Put the dough in an oiled bowl and turn it to coat it with the oil. Let the dough rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until it is double in bulk, and punch it down.

Yield: Enough dough for one (14 inch) pizza or four (7 inch) pizzas