No Fail Pizza Dough

If using quick rise yeast, proof in the water with a pinch of the sugar. Otherwise, add first 4 ingredients to your mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and begin mixing as you slowly add the water. When dough begins to come together, add in the Parmesan cheese.

Knead dough until shiny, adding more flour as needed to keep the dough slightly tacky, but not sticky.

Oil a large mixing bowl and drop the dough in, spinning it to coat the ball. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in a warm room. This could be 30 minutes to an hour, depending.*

Punch down the dough in the mixing bowl, cover and let rise until doubled again.

To make the pizza:

Preheat your oven to 450F.

Coat a pizza pan with cooking spray and dust with cornmeal. Lightly flour your hands, flatten the dough ball into a disc, and work the pizza dough from the center out. Or grab a kid and toss the disc back and forth, stretching the dough as you toss. Watch out for curious dogs.

Spread the dough across the pan, leaving an overhang to be folded over after the pizza’s been loaded up. Top with your favorite toppings.

Pop into your very hot oven and cook until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden, about 12 – 15 minutes.

*This dough can also “cold rise” in a fridge for 8 hours, perfect for making before a work day. Dough slowly rises in the refrigerator and develops fabulous flavor. Be sure to use plastic wrap, not a towel, to cover the dough ball.