THE ULTIMATE PIZZA DOUGH, FROM KING ARTHUR FLOUR RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• To make the dough: Mix and knead together all of the dough ingredients¬-by hand, mixer or bread machine-till you've created a smooth, very soft, fairly sticky dough. Don't over-knead the dough; it should hold together, but can still look fairly rough on the surface. Allow the dough to rise, covered, for 45 minutes; then refrigerate it for 4 hours (or up to 36 hours); this step will develop the crust's flavor. Make sure you have the dough in a large covered bowl, or put it into a large, lightly greased plastic bag; leave plenty of room for expansion. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and allow it to rest and warm up a bit while you prepare the toppings. To assemble and bake the pizza: Gently stretch and pat the dough into the pan(s). You'll probably get about two-thirds of the way there before the dough starts shrinking back; walk away for 10 minutes. When you come back, you should be able to pat it all the way into the corners of the pan, or close to it. Allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes to an hour (or more, for thicker crust). Preheat the oven to 450°F. Spread the sauce in a thin film over the crust. Bake the pizza on the lower oven rack for 8 minutes. Remove it from the oven, and arrange your choice of toppings and cheese on top. Return to the oven, and bake on the upper oven rack for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is nicely browned, both top and bottom. Check it midway through, and move it to the bottom rack if the top is browning too much, or the bottom not enough. Remove the pizza from the oven, and transfer it from the pan(s) to a rack to cool slightly before serving. For easiest serving, cut into squares with a pair of scissors. Yield: a dozen generous slices.