Yes, that is an Olsen twins reference. Did anyone else grow up wanting to be an Olsen twin? I know it wasn’t just me. Every time I make pizza from scratch, I can’t help but think of that song… and sing it a little, maybe.
The pizza dough takes a little time to rise, but other than that it is a simple straightforward recipe.
First, in a bowl or liquid measuring cup, add the yeast and sugar to the warm water. The water has to be warm enough to activate the yeast, but not too hot or it will kill it. If you’re worried about it being right, just use a thermometer. The water should be between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, mix together the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center.
After 15 minutes, the yeast mixture should be bubbly. Add this and the olive oil in the well you created in the flour mixture. Slowly combine the flour and yeast using a fork. Once the dough is coming together, turn it out onto a clean, dry, and floured surface. Knead the dough until smooth. This shouldn’t take too long.
Next, spray the mixing bowl with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Add the dough to the mixing bowl. drizzle with olive oil, and cover with foil/plastic wrap. Set the dough aside in a warm place for an hour.
Cut the dough in half. Roll out the first half of dough on a clean and flour dusted surface. I like my pizzas to have a rustic feel and usually press them into a small cookie sheet drizzled with olive oil.
Top your pizzas with your favorite toppings and pop it into a 500 degree oven. Yes, 500. The hottest your oven will go. Your pizza will cook in about 8-10 minutes. The high heat really makes a difference. The crust comes out crunchy on the bottom and the cheese is bubbly and brown. Yum!
Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups all- purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Any topping you choose
Directions
1. In a liquid measuring cup, measure 1/2 cup warm water. Add sugar and yeast. Set aside for 15 minutes to activate the yeast.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Make a well in the middle. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the well. Using a fork, mix the flour into the liquid ingredients. Once the dough begins to form, turn it out onto a clean floured surface. Knead lightly until the dough is smooth. This will not take long.
3. Return the dough to the mixing bowl and drizzle the top with olive oil. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place for one hour.
4. Roll out one half of the dough to the thickness of your liking. I like to make these pizzas on the thin side. Press the dough into a cookie sheet greased with a little olive oil. Top the dough with your favorite toppings.
5. Pop the pizza into a 500 degree oven for 8-12 minutes. This will depend on the toppings you use.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the remaining dough.
*Adapted from recipe by Anne Burrell
Enjoy!
xo Ali
Alexandra Taylor 