Basic Pizza Dough

I love making pizza. I always try to keep pizza dough in my freezer for days when I am in no mood to make dough or just for days when the boys suddenly request pizza. My sister once suggested that I roll it and then freeze it but I didn't have much space to keep a rolled dough disc inside.
 I prefer to chuck the dough ball in a small corner of the freezer. I have made this dough countless times and most of the time I just throw everything in.  It might be different from some recipes the measurements but it tastes pretty good, which is what matters right. I like thin-crust pizza's .

Recipe : Basic Pizza Dough 
Makes 2  medium pizza's with this dough

2 1/2 cups plain flour, sifted
1 cup lukewarm water
1 1/2 tsp yeast ( I used Active dry yeast)
1 tsp sugar
about 3 tbsp olive oil
pinch salt

In a measuring jug,  dissolve sugar in lukewarm water. Sprinkle in the yeast and leave it for 5-10 minutes.

While that is happening, sift flour and salt into a bowl, make a well in the centre and add olive oil.  Pour the yeast mixture, and mix well.  Sprinkle flour on your work surface and really knead the dough till nice and smooth and elastic.  The dough should spring back when you press it.

Rub some olive oil all over a clean bowl, place your dough in the bowl, and rub your oiled hands on the dough ball as well. Cover the bowl with cling film and a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm area in the kitchen.

If the yeast is good quality and the room is warm, the dough will rise within 2 hours.

After 2-3 hours and the dough ball has doubled in its size, punch the risen dough and turn it into a ball. You can make 2 medium size pizzas or 1 large one with this mixture. I like to divide it into two and pop one inside a zip lock bag, and place it inside the freezer, labelled,  in case you are later left wondering whether its pizza dough or  some other kind of pastry. The remaining dough I use to make my thin-crust pizza .

To use, just thaw it in the fridge or take it out and let it defrost on the kitchen counter if you are in a hurry. for topping ideas, you can click here to try any of my pizzas :). Enjoy!!