Pizza Dough

3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 warm water
2 tblsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 pkg yeast
1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)

Makes 2, 18'' crust pizzas or calzones

If mixing by hand, combine 1 cup flour, oil, water, salt, and yeast and mix until combined. Continue to add the rest of the flour until all the flour is incoroprated.

If mixing by a food processor combine all ingredients and mix until combined.

Your dough should be smooth and elastic.

I roll my dough out on a clean surface in about 1 tblsp of olive oil. You can also roll it out on a lightly floured surface.

For a crisp crust you can roll out your dough at this point and put your toppings on and cook it.

For a fluffier bread type crust allow to rise 30-60 minutes and then add toppings.

Cooking your pizza:

While rolling and adding toppings, set oven to 425 Degrees F.

Cook pizza for 14-18 minutes depending on your oven. I usually rotated my pizza halfway thorough the cooking process because the oven cooks unevenly for me.

You can place the pizza on the bottom of the oven for a good dark browning on teh bottom of the pizza. Only do this for 2-4 minutes as it can burn this way. I usually do this for the 1st 2 minutes then place the pizza on the middle rack for the rest of the time.