Advertisement
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
Yellow cornmeal
1 package fast-rising dry yeast (Fleischmann's Rapid Rise or Red Star Quick Rise)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup hot water (120 to 130 degrees)
½ teaspoon salt
½ pound mozzarella or other melting cheese, thinly sliced or diced
1 cup tomato sauce or other sauce or 1 ½ pounds seeded, chopped fresh tomatoes
Minced garlic (optional)
Minced fresh or dried herbs
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Additional topping ingredients such as sausage, peppers,olives, sliced vegetables, seafood, if desired
Preparation
- Step 1
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Lightly oil a pizza pan or pizza screen. If using a pan, sprinkle it lightly with cornmeal.
- Step 2
Mix the yeast with 1 cup of the flour in a mixing bowl. Stir in the hot water and blend until no raw flour shows. Stir in a second cup of flour and the salt and mix quickly until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl.
- Step 3
Dust work surface and hands with the third cup of flour and turn the dough out of the bowl. Knead in the remaining flour a little at a time, using a dough scraper to prevent sticking. Knead vigorously about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Step 4
Press the dough into an 8-inch circle, then roll or stretch it to fit a 15- to 18-inch pizza pan. Add the desired toppings (spread the cheese on first) and finish with a drizzling of olive oil.
- Step 5
Bake about 15 minutes until the crust is golden and the topping bubbly. Serve at once.
Private Notes