FAST, THIN, AND CRISPY CRUST PIZZA

from the blog "One Upon a Plate" - http://onceuponaplaterecipes.blogspot.com/2009/11/fast-thin-and-crispy-crust-pizza.html - "This is the recipe my family always uses when we need a fast pizza dough, it requires virtually no rise-time and bakes up firm and very crisp. But don't worry if you want to make it ahead, or if you have left over dough, just form into a ball (or balls) and wrap in cling film and store in the refrigerator up to one day, or freeze for longer storage."

Provided by ellie3763

Time 42m

Yield 1 large, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon active quick-rising yeast or 1 packet active quick dry yeast
1 pinch granulated sugar
3/4 cup very warm water (not hot)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
pizza sauce, and toppings of choice

Steps:

In a small bowl or glass measuring cup dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water, stir and set aside for 10 minutes. Mixture should begin to bubble and foam at the end of the time (indicating that the yeast is activated & alive.).
In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt, set aside.
Add the liquid yeast mixture (and olive oil if using) to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
Flour a work surface and knead dough for a couple of minutes until smooth and elastic.
Shape the dough into 1 large, 2 medium, or 4 small pizzas using whatever method you prefer; rolling pin, stretching or off the board between your two hands, in the air.
If you have a pizza peel, sprinkle lightly with corn meal and build your pizza. If not, lightly grease a flat cookie sheet (or inverted jelly roll pan) and build your pizza.
I brush the formed dough very lightly with olive oil (optional), then pizza sauce (not too generously), cheese then any other other ingredients. Keep toppings rather sparse if you want a really crispy crust.
Bake in hot oven until as crispy as desired. Usually 8 to 12 minutes, but this will vary depending upon pizza stone vs. pan and the toppings you have chosen.
You can also make this in a food processor ~ Mix the water, sugar and yeast as directed in a small container. Place flour and salt in bowl of processor and pulse a few times to mix. Add the liquid yeast mixture (and olive oil, if using) and pulse until blended; adding more flour until mixture just forms a ball and the dough follows the blade around the bowl. (Additional flour is needed when using food processor method, because you are not hand-kneading on a floured board). To remove from food processor bowl, flour your hands well, form dough into a ball (or balls) and shape as directed.