Over the years, I've had very good luck with this dough recipe. Feel free to experiment to make the dough that you like best.
I have also included in this post a video of the dough making process.
Making pizza can be an event enjoyed by one person or shared by a group of people. I have made "pizza for two" as well as given hands-on pizza demonstrations for over 70 pizza fanatics! Making pizza is FUN! Get people involved in your pizza adventure and magic will happen.
Tools
To make your pizza you need mixing bowls, a measuring cup, measuring spoons, a rolling pin (optional), a pizza pan or cookie sheet or pizza stone, and a cooking thermometer.
Ingredients for the Dough (Makes 2 Regular or 4 Thin Neapolitan Pizzas!) • 1 or 2 Packages yeast (2-3 teaspoons of yeast or less) (Try 1-2 teaspoons) (Peter Reinhart says only use as much as you need, you can use less yeast to get good results) • 2 teaspoons honey or sugar (optional) • 4 cups of flour (Can be All purpose or Bread Flour) • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/4 cup olive oil (optional) • 1 and 1/2 cups of warm water
Directions
1. Put yeast and sugar in a cup. Add 1/2 cup of water. The water should be between 100° and 110° F (37° C- 43° C.) degrees. Mix well. Wait about 5 minutes for the yeast and sugar to activate.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the olive oil, flour, salt, 1 cup of warm water and the yeast mixture. Mix this with a fork to get all the liquid absorbed by the flour.
3. Place a handful of flour on a mixing surface. Dust your hands and spread out the flour. Empty the contents of the bowl on to the flour.
4. Knead the dough vigorously for 8-10 minutes or until the texture is smooth and uniform. If the dough seems a little sticky, add a little more flour. One method to knead, is to lean on the dough with the palm of your hand. Press the dough to the mixing surface. Fold the dough and repeat.
5. Place the dough in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Place bowl in warm area and cover with a cloth.
6. Let the dough rise for about an hour. Punch down the dough and wait 30-45 minutes. Your dough is now ready.
7. Cut the dough in half (or fourths, for thin pizza). (I usually make 4 thin pizzas with this dough recipe!)
8. Dust a rolling pin with flour and roll out on a floured surface until the dough is the desired shape. (You can omit the rolling pin and just shape the dough with your fingers.) (The olive oil and sugar are optional ingredients.)
