MY " GO TO" PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, cheese, and salt.
• Place water and oil in a microwavable container and nuke until temp is 110 to 120 degrees.
• Pour into flour mixture and mix with a spoon. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough while mixing with your hands.
• Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic adding flour as required; about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees. If using a stone, place stone on lowest shelf so it will preheat.
• Place kneaded dough into a large bowl and lightly coat the dough with olive oil so the surface will not dry out. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and place in a warm place. The top of the stove works well while the oven preheats.
• Allow dough to rise until doubled in size; about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove to a floured surface and knead for about 30 seconds.
• Shape dough into a ball and divide in half. Return half to the bowl and cover.
• Roll second half into desired size and shape and place on a pizza peel or pizza pan.
• If using a peel, lightly dust with cornmeal so the dough will easily slide from the peel to the stone. Place dough onto peel.
• If using a pan, lightly coat with oil and dust with cornmeal. Place dough on pan and finish shaping dough to fit.
• Top pizza with desired ingredients and dip two fingers into olive oil. Coat rim of crust with oil so it will brown nicely.
• Bake at 500 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes until toppings are bubbly and crust is browned.
• Cooking time will vary with thickness of dough and ingredients, so watch closely to avoid burning.
• Repeat with second dough ball for a second pizza, or wrap well and freeze for later use.