HOMEMADE PERSONAL PIZZA

Steps:

• Proof yeast by placing warm water in the large bowl of a heavy duty stand mixer. Sprinkle yeast over the water and let sit for 5 minutes until yeast is dissolved.
• After 5 minutes, stir if yeast not completely dissolved. The yeast should foam which indicates it's active and alive.
• Using the paddle attachment, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and olive oil on low speed for a minute, then replace mixing paddle with dough hook.
• Knead dough on low to medium speed using the dough hook until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Add flour or water if the dough is too sticky or water if too dry.
• Spread a think layer of olive oil over the inside of a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it around until it's coated with oil.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place (75-85 degrees) and let it rise until it doubles in size. At least 1 - 1 1/2 hours though longer is better. Several hours is fine.
• If you don't have a warm spot heat oven to 150 then turn it off. When it's still a little warm put your dough in.
• Pre-heat your pizza stone in the lower third of the oven. 450 or 500 is best. (be sure to remove dough before pre-heating!)
• Punch down dough so it deflates. Divide into 4 to create personal pizzas. (un-needed dough can be frozen in an airtight container)
• Place dough balls that aren't being frozen for later use in their own bowls, cover with plastic, and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Prep toppings. Too many will make a soggy pizza so keep layers to a minimum.
• Flatten dough ball and stretch into a round. Work the dough on a floured surface. Using your hands or a rolling pin stretch it to about 1/2 ".
• Let rest for 5 minutes then stretch to desired diameter. Pinch edges if you want a lip
• Brush dough top with olive oil and let rest 5 minutes. Repeat with all dough balls in use.
• Sprinkle pizza peel (or flat cookie sheet) with cornmeal. Transfer first pizza to peel. Spread with sauce and toppings
• Sprinkle cornmeal on pizza stone (while in oven) and slide pizza onto it. Add more cornmeal to pizza peel if pizza doesn't slide easily.
• Bake until crust is browned and cheese golden. About 10-15 minutes. More cheese can be added at end of cooking time if desired.
• Use pizza peel to remove pizza from oven. Transfer to cutting board. Let sit for a minute or two before cutting.