Easy Thin Crust Pizza Dough

Frugal Fifer's Note:

I found this recipe in an old Good Food magazine, I had been trying to make pizza for ages and just could not get the base right. I tried this one and was pleased with the results. My DD loves helping to knead the dough, it is a great way to get children involved in cooking.

• Total Time: 33 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 300 g strong bread flour
• 1 teaspoon dried yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

Directions:

1. Pre heat oven to gas mark 8, 240oc. It helps to place an upturned baking tray in the oven on the top shelf while the oven is heating, not the same as a pizza stone, but better than just a tray on its own!
2. Put the flour into a large bowl, and then stir in the yeast and salt. Make a well in the centre and pour in 200 ml warm water and the olive oil, bringing together with a wooden spoon until you have a soft fairly wet dough. You may need to adjust the flour/water ratio as all flours absorb the water differently.
3. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5mins until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and set aside. You can leave the dough to rise if you like, but it is not essential for a thin crust.
4. Roll out the dough. If you have let it rise, give it a quick knead, then split into two balls. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into large rounds, about 25 cms across, using a rolling pin. The dough needs to be very thin as it will rise in the oven.
5. Put the rounds onto thick baking sheets dusted with flour, add your favourite toppings and bake in the pre-heated oven for 8-10 minutes till crisp.