New York Style Pizza Dough

Makes: 4    |   Difficulty Level: Medium   |   Ready In: 1-2 hrs

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup warm water
2 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup cornmeal
sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice


Directions:

In a large bowl, dissolve sugar and salt in water. Add oil and flour to bowl and stir with heavy spoon for 1 minute. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and press into a circle. Sprinkle yeast evenly over dough and knead for 12 minutes. Divide dough into portions: 4 equal portions for calzones, 3 equal portions for 8" pizzas, 2 equal portions for 12" pizzas. Place dough balls in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours in a warm location. Place a dough ball on a lightly floured surface and sprinkle a light coating of flour on top. Working from the edges to the center, press dough into a circle. Preheat a pizza stone in a 500 degree oven for 1 hour. Coat a large cutting board with cornmeal and place the flattened dough onto the cornmeal. Spread sauce over crust and top with cheese and desired toppings. Gently shake the cutting board from side to side, assuring it isn't sticking to the board. For a calzone, fold the crust over in half. Slide the pizza/calzone from the cutting board directly onto the stone in the oven. Bake in 500 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until crust is golden.

NOTES : Before allowing the dough to rise, you may place it in a plastic zipper bag and freeze. When ready to use, thaw at room temperature, then proceed with instructions.