Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (4 1/4 oz / 121g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup warm water
  • 1 1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 teaspoon mixed Italian herbs
  • Topping
  • 1/3 cup pizza sauce, your favorite
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 1/4 cup ham or 1/4 cup sausage, etc,cooked
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (you can use 3/4 cup total of any topping you like)

Method

  • Using a wooden spoon/mixer with dough hooks, combine all the dough ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, until a soft, slightly sticky dough is formed.
  • Add a few tsp of water if your dough seems dry.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly oiled surface, knead it lightly with oiled hands.
  • Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour; it might not necessarily double in bulk (usually I let dough rise in a turned-off oven or microwave).
  • Punch down the dough and roll it into a ball.
  • Flatten in and roll it to desired thickness and size to fit your pizza pan (if dough resists rolling, let it rest for 10mins before rolling again).
  • Let rise for another 30mins; preheat oven to 425°F/ 220°C.
  • Prior to baking, poke holes all over the dough with a fork.
  • Bake for 10-15mins before topping the pizza; finally, bake for another 5-10mins until topping is hot and cheese has melted.
  • NOTE- if you like super crispy crust like I do, preheat a baking sheet at 475°F/ 240°C for for 5-10mins, then slide the pizza pan (with the crust) onto the hot baking sheet; Bake for 15mins, then put your topping and bake for another 15mins (if you have baking stone, use that instead of the baking sheet).