Pizza Dough

This easy homemade dough can be made ahead of time, so that the next time you want pizza, you have a faster start. You can also double the recipe now, use half tonight and freeze the other half just before kneading, so that the next time you want pizza it comes together even faster. Just place in the fridge first until completely thawed - about 8 hours.

In the next couple days, I'll give you a few recipe ideas for toppings, but for tonight, make this crust and top any way you like - then crack a beer and enjoy the Superbowl!

In a large bowl, dissolve 1/2 tsp. sugar and one packet of yeast in 2/3 cup warm water (between 100 and 110 degrees). Let stand 5 minutes.

Spoon out 1 and 1/2 cups bread flour into measuring cups, leveling with a knife. Add to the yeast mixture, along with 1 and 1/2 tablespoons cornmeal, 2 teaspoons olive oil and 1/2 tsp. salt. Stir until a dough forms - it will be very tacky! - and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes, adding 2 tablespoons more bread flour a bit at a time so the dough doesn't stick to your hands.

Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat the top, then cover and let rise for 45 minutes, until doubled in size. Punch down and shape into a ball. Lightly respray the bowl with cooking spray, and place your dough in it, once more turning to coat the top. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

Now shape on a lightly floured surface and top according to taste!

1/6 of the dough without any topping is 140 calories.



Here's the dough just before rolling.

Cost:
everything was in my pantry!

Which I guess begs the line: Pizza during the Superbowl... priceless