Basic Pizza Dough

Method

1. In a small bowl, mix the lukewarm water, yeast and sugar together until combined, then leave in a warm place for 5 minutes or until frothy.
2. If using a bench top mixer with a dough hook. Simply add all the ingredients into the mixer bowl and turn the power on low add the yeast mixture in a steady stream and process for about 3 to 4 minutes until an elastic dough forms.
3. If you’re making it by hand, stir the olive oil into the yeast foam. Sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl. Making a hollow in the flour mix and use your hands to bring the mixture together to form a dough.
4. For both methods turn the dough out onto a work surface and use the heel of your hands to work the dough for 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Lightly grease the inside of a clean dry bowl with oil and add the dough cover with cling wrap and leave in a warm (not hot) place to raise for 45–60 minutes or until doubled in size.
5. Dust a clean work surface lightly with the extra flour and tip out the dough.
6. Use your fists to knead and work the dough to let any air out. Separate the dough into 4 portions and then kneading and working each portion separately form them into 4 balls.
7. Place the dough balls on a baking tray lined with bake, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to prove and raise for another 15 minutes.
8. Roll out, add your favourite topping and bake in a hot preheated oven at 220°C for 15-20 minutes.