08
Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes.
09Add 1 cup of flour and the olive oil and mix until well blended.10Add the rest of the flour and mix well.11The dough should turn into a ball.12If the dough does not ball up because it's too dry, add water one tablespoon at a time until it does.13If your mixture is more like a batter, add flour one tablespoon at a time.14Adding water or flour as needed to get the right consistency will assure you always get a perfect dough.15Just remember to do it in small amounts.16Once the dough is balled up, place the ball on a floured board and knead for about a minute.17This builds the gluten which helps the dough to rise and become fluffy when cooked.18Place the dough in a covered bowl and store in a warm, dry area to rise.19After about 45 minutes the dough should have about doubled in size.20Punch it down so it deflates.21Let it rise for another hour to an hour and a half.22The dough is now ready to be rolled out.23You can punch the dough down one more time if you want and wait another hour or two before rolling out.24The choice is yours.25This dough can also be made in advance and refrigerated for a day or so, or even frozen.26Be sure to let it come to room temperature before using.27Form the dough into a flat ball about six to eight inches wide.28Using both hands, one on top of the other, press from the center outwards on it to start stretching it out, turning the dough a bit on each push.29You can also pick up the dough and squeeze the edges of it while turning it like a steering wheel.30This allows the weight of the dough to stretch it.31Once the dough is about 1/2" thick all the way around, use a rolling pin to flatten it out to about 1/4" thick.32I usually run the pin over once or twice, flip the dough over and give it a quarter turn and roll it again to make it even.33Take a fork and put puncture holes all over the dough.34This keeps it from bubbling up while cooking and it also helps to hold the sauce on as well.35Transfer dough to pizza peel sprinkled corn meal or place it on a lightly greased cookie sheet.36Top with sauce, cheese and/or toppings and bake in a 400° F oven until the crust is light brown.37Bake on either baking stones, a cookie sheet, or a pizza pan.