Method
Turn the oven on to 250C, with a rack above the middle of the
oven, and a flat metal baking tray on it. (If you have a baking
stone, put it in the oven instead of the metal tray.)
Measure the warm water into a fairly large bowl, and sprinkle in
the yeast, oil, salt and sugar. Mix well until everything is evenly
dispersed, then add the first measure of flour (spooning the flour
lightly into the cup). Mix this to a soft dough with a wooden spoon
or stirrer. The mixture should be soft and slightly sticky.
Sprinkle a little of the extra flour over the yeast mixture in the
bowl, and form it into a ball. Leave it to stand while you find and
prepare your choice of topping ingredients. The dough will start to
rise while you do this.
Place a large square of baking paper, or a large non-stick
liner, on another flat metalbaking tray.
Assemble your choice of pizza toppings. Tomatoes and cheese are
usually regarded as essential. The others are optional.
Now work on the pizza crust. The dough should have risen
slightly. Sprinkle some of the second measure of flour over the
soft pizza dough. Use the stirrer to lift the floured dough away
from the sides and bottom of the bowl. Turn it onto the centre of
the baking paper or non-stick liner.
Turn the oven down to 225C. Open the oven door and carefully
slide the pizza, on its baking paper or liner, onto the heated
pizza stone or the heated metal tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes until
the rim of the pizza is golden brown, then take it from the oven
and slide the pizza off the baking paper or liner, onto a cooling
rack.
With floury hands, first shape the floured dough into a ball,
then, using your fingers and hands, pat the ball of dough out into
a circle 30cm across, on the baking paper (or non-stick liner.)
Drizzle a little olive oil
on the dough and spread it evenly with your fingers. Leaving the
outer 2cm of the dough uncovered, add toppings of your choice,
finishing with grated cheese.
Fold the edges of the pizza
in to make a 1cm rim. Drizzle a little more oil over the topping
ingredients.
Cut into pieces with a
knife, rotating cutter or kitchen scissors and eat while warm.
Enjoy!