Pizza Dough:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast:
   • In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly. This indicates that the yeast is activated.
2. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil.
   • Using a wooden spoon or your hands, stir the mixture until it comes together into a rough dough.
3. Knead the Dough:
   • Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
4. First Rise:
   • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
5. Punch down the Dough:
   • Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air bubbles. Divide the dough into two equal portions for two medium-sized pizzas or leave it as a single portion for one large pizza.

Classic Pizza:

Ingredients:

• 1 portion of pizza dough (from the above recipe)
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Your choice of toppings (e.g., pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, etc.)
• Olive oil, for brushing (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to the highest temperature setting (usually around 475-500°F or 245-260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
2. Roll out the Dough:
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a circle or rectangle of your desired thickness. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto a lightly greased or parchment-lined pizza pan or baking sheet.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
   • Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
   • Add your desired toppings evenly over the cheese layer.
4. Bake the Pizza:
   • Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Garnish and Serve:
   • Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly. If desired, brush the crust edges with olive oil and garnish with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese before slicing and serving.

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