Ingredients:

• ¾ cup                     Warm water
• 1 tsp                       Active dry yeast (1 package)
• 2 cups                     All-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp                     Olive oil
• 1 tsp                       Salt
• ½ tsp                      Sugar

Directions:

Making the pizza dough:

1. Place the warm water in a large bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the flour, salt, sugar and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until a dough starts to form.
3. Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface (adding flour as needed if it is too wet), the dough will be a little sticky.
4. Spread a thin layer of olive oil over the inside of a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn it around so it gets coated with the oil.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 ½ hours in a warm place. Or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Pizza assembly:

1. Preheat the oven to 475F.
2. When using refrigerated dough let it sit in room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Dust your hands with flour and punch the dough down so it deflates, divide the dough in half.
4. Flatten the ball of dough starting at the center and working outwards using your fingertips (make sure the surface is floured so the dough won’t stick).
5. Turn the dough and stretch until it reaches the desired diameter (10-12 inches).
6. Transfer the dough to baking sheet lined with parchment (or a pizza stone) and brush lightly with olive oil. Let it sit while you spread out the second piece of dough.
7. Spoon on 1/3 cup of tomato sauce and sprinkle with cheese and desired toppings.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until crust is browned and the cheese is golden.