Homemade Pizza Dough

(recipe from the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer instruction booklet)

INGREDIENTS
· 1 pkg. active dry yeast
· 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
· 1/2 tsp. salt
· 2 tsp. olive oil
· 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
· t tbsp. cornmeal

DIRECTIONS
· dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl
· add salt, olive oil, and 2 1/2 cups flour
· using the dough hook on your mixer, mix at speed 2 for about 1 minute (low speed)
· continuing on speed 2, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix until dough clings to hook and cleans the sides of the bowl (about 2 minutes)
· knead on speed 2 for another 2 minutes
· place dough in greased bowl, covering the dough in olive oil
· cover, let rise in warm place, free from draft for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk
· punch down dough
· divide dough into thirds
· stretch each portion into 10 inch round circles (or rectangles to be baked on cookie sheets for a more rustic approach)
· brush 10 inch pizza pan with oil and sprinkle with cornmeal
· press dough across bottom of pan forming a collar around the edge to hold toppings
· add toppings as desired
· bake at 450 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes
· repeat two more times with different toppings each time

Now, get creative!