Preparation

Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the yeast and salt. Dissolve the sugar in the warm water and dribble it into the dry ingredients until they absorb enough to make a sticky dough. How much water is required will entirely depend upon your flour. Mix in the olive oil and use your hands — or the dough hook on your electric mixer — to knead the dough until it is smooth and silky. It will take about 10 minutes. Lightly oil the ball of dough and put it into a bowl. Cover and leave in a warm place to rise for 2 hours, by which time it should have at least doubled in size.
Knock the air out of the dough, then tip it out onto a floured work surface. Cut the dough into12 portions, then lightly flour each one and put them on a tray, covered, for another 10 minutes. When ready to cook, roll each portion out to a 15 cm (6 in) circle and cover with the topping of your choice.

Ingredients

  • 355 g (12 oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 1 tsp dried yeast
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp sugar
  • 175-200 ml (6-7 fl oz) warm water
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil