Quick and Easy Pizza Crust

By mkuchel

It's extremely easy to double, so we usually make a double batch and put one pizza in the freezer to eat sometime later. I usually add mixed herbs to the dough - I sometimes just do a teaspoon of ground-up "pizza spice" but if I don't have pizza spice on hand I'll just toss in a mixture of approx 1/2 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp oregano, and 1/4 tsp onion powder. (The best and easiest way to add herbs is to mix them into the olive oil before you add it to the batter - that will ensure even distribution throughout the entire dough.) Then I mix a bit of garlic powder (about 1/4 to 1/2 tsp) into the olive oil that I brush onto the edge of the crust, which gives it a touch of garlicky flavor and helps the edge turn nice and golden in the oven. Added later: I've also used this recipe to make bread sticks; I still add the herbs and garlic oil, and do everything according to the recipe. After letting the dough rise for 5-10 min, pinch off golf ball-sized pieces and roll them between your hands until they're 4-5" long. Cook on a lightly greased cookie sheet, 1" apart, at 450 for 14-18 minutes. It makes 12-16 4"-5" bread sticks.

Ingredients

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil(add 2 tsp Italian seasoning and 1 tsp garlic powder)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• When using jarred active dry yeast, 2-1/4 tsp. yeast = (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast.

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baker's peel dusted with cornmeal. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.