Pizza Pie Dough - Rustic Pizza Crust
- 3/4 tsp (4 ml) active dry yeast
- 1 cup (225 ml) all-purpose flour, plus some for the kneading/rolling board
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) very hot water
- 1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt, sea salt best if you have it
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fruity olive oil, plus more for pan and baking
- Cornmeal for baking pan
- Optional: 1 tbsp (15 ml) finely snipped fresh herb leaves
- In a food processor, pulse the yeast and 1/2 cup (125 ml) flour briefly to mix, then add the water and process 30 seconds.
- Scrape down the bowl, add the remaining flour, and process 1 minute.
- (The dough will be sticky).
- Lighly oil a 1 quart (950 ml) sized glass bowl, add the dough and roll it to cover in oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a 70 degree (20 C.) environment for about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Punch the dough down and knead on a lightly floured board a dozen or so times, pat it to 1/4-inch thick and dimple it with your fingertips.
- Sprinkle the salt and any herbs you choose to use onto the dough disk.
- Fold the dough in thirds one way, brushing off excess flour, then repeat, folding the other way.
- Knead 2 to 3 minutes until the herb is evenly distributed and the dough is silky.
- Oil the quart size bowl again and add the dough, oiling it, then let it rise until it's topping the bowl, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Punch it down and do not knead it again.
- About 30 to 40 minutes before baking the pizza, place the oven rack on the lowest position in the oven at 500 degrees (250 C.).
- Have a stone or pan ready.
- If you use tin foil, oil the shiny side and use it.
- To shape the pizza dough, on a floured surface, pat and roll and VERY gently pull the dough to make a round a scant 14-inches wide.
- This is rustic pizza, so don't worry if the form isn't even.
- Fold over th edge of make a rim no more that 1/4-inch thick.
- Sprinkle corn meal on the bottom of the stone or pan and lift the dough onto the stone or pan and coax it to make it about 13 inches wide.
- Lightly dimple the dough again.
- At this point, it is ready to accept all your fillings, sauces, and cheeses.
- The dough doesn't need to rise again, but a 10 to 15 minute puffing is fine.
active dry yeast, flour, water, salt, olive oil, cornmeal, fresh herb leaves
Taken from online-cookbook.com/goto/cook/rpage/0012E1 (may not work)