Basic pizza base recipe

I have just realised that there are several pizza 'recipes' on this blog, but with no mention of how to make the dough!!! It was high time for me to post it.

Here is the basic recipe to make two x 30cm diameter pizzas:

225g bread flour (I usually mix half white with half wholemeal flours)
7g/1 sachet dried fast-action yeast
2 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
100ml luke-warm water (not boiling, or you'll kill the yeast)


1. In a big bowl, sieve the flour. Add the salt and make a well. Place the oil, then the yeast in the well.

2. Add the warm water, stirring with a wooden spoon. When it becomes difficult to stir, use you hands to knead the dough until it forms a soft and stretchy ball, and the dought is no longer sticky. You may need to add a little more water or flour, as required.

3. Divide into two balls of equal size and place them into lightly oiled bowls. Cover with a damp clean cloth. Place in a warm spot and leave to rise for at least 1 hour, until doubled in size.

4. Roll out the balls onto a lighlty floured surface to the required size and place onto pizza trays.

5. Garnish with your favourite toppings and place into a 200C pre-heated oven for 15 minutes.