Basic Bread Dough

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 3 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 cups high gluten flour
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Place warm water in a warm mixing bowl and add yeast. Stir to dissolve and let stand 3 minutes. Add salt and sugar and stir through. Add flour and olive oil and mix, using hands until you can knead the dough without it sticking to your fingers. Add more water, if needed.

Wash and dry hands and remove ball to cutting board. Knead the dough, occasionally dusting with 1 teaspoon flour, until a firm, smooth homogenous ball is formed, about 15 minutes. Place ball of dough in a lightly oiled mixing bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm place until its size is doubled, about 2 hours. Punch down and divide into 2 pieces.

Dough is now ready for use.