Perfect Pizza Dough

By Trix

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour {optional whole wheat flour}
• 8 gram package of quick rising instant yeast
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3/4 tsp salt
• Variation - Green Onion Cakes
• Instead of olive oil, add dark sesame oil and 1/2 cup of finely chopped green onions or leeks.

Preparation

Step 1

Stir 2 tbsp flour, 1/2 cup warm water and yeast in large bowl. Let stand til cloudy and bubbly about 5 min. Stir remaining flour, 1/2 cup more water, oil and salt. Bring dough together. Transfer to floured surface. Knead 2-3 min until smooth. Spray bowl with oil and return dough to bowl. Cover with tea towel. Rest 1 hour. Doubles in size. Divide into 4 portions. Roll out to 8 inch circles...add topping and bake for 15 min at 425 degrees.
Options with Pizza Dough

Two-Bite Garlic Rolls.
Divide pizza dough into half and roll out 10x16 rectangle with long side to edge of counter. Spread with 1/4 cup of garlic butter. Roll into log and cut into 12 rounds. Lay cut side down into greased 24 cup mini muffin tins and brush with olive oil...repeat with second half. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until golden.

Asian Flatbread
Divide green onion dough into 8 portions. Roll into 8" circles. Heat non stick pan over med-high heat. Add 1 tsp of oil, than a pancake. Cook until bottom is golden, 1-2 min. Flip and cook 2 more min. Repeat. Serve with Chinese dishes or use as sandwich wraps.

Focaccia
Grease an 8x8 baking dish with 1/4 cup olive oil. Pat dough into dish and dimple surface with fingertips. Place half an olive into each dimple. Brush with olive oil. Bake at 350 for 30min until golden.

Calzone
Divide dough into 4. Roll out to 9" circles. Lay pizza toppings on 1 half of circle. Fold over filling to form a half moon packet. Seal edges. Brush tops with oil. Bake at 425 for 15 min.