All Purpose Pizza Dough

Using my microwave proofing method this dough is quick to make, in fact it's so easy a homemade pizza is a great option for a weeknight. This recipe makes 1 big 34cm “family size” thick crust pizza or 2x30cm thin-crust pizzas. Once made the dough can be stored in the fridge for 3 days, or in the freezer for up to a month.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups plain flour
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 sachet instant yeast
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 – 1 ½ cups warm water

Method

1. In a large bowl or mixer fitted with a dough hook combine flour, sugar, salt, yeast and oil. Mix lightly.
   
   
2. Gradually add the water, stirring continuously until the flour is moist enough to form a dough. Knead the dough for 3-5 minutes adding more flour if needed to prevent the dough sticking, until it is smooth and elastic.
   
   
3. Place dough into a clean greased bowl, cover and microwave on low power for 1 minute, rest the dough for 10 minutes then repeat. After the second rest the dough should have doubled in size. (Alternatively set aside in a warm place until doubled in size).
   
   
4. At this point the dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. If not using a microwave set the bowl in a warm place until dough doubles in size, 30-40 minutes.

Tip

This quantity can be doubled to feed a big family or to stock the freezer. For freezing proof the dough then after it has risen, roll half the mixture into pizza bases to freeze. Smaller single serving sized bases are easier to store as they can be stacked when frozen and are less likely to break. Defrost, then top them and bake as usual.