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1
For the dough: In a large bowl, stir together yeast, 1 tablespoon of flour, and 1/4 cup of warm water.
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2
Let it sit for 5 minutes or until mixture looks foamy.
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3
Stir in remaining water, salt, and olive oil.
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4
Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough pulls away from side of bowl.
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5
Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until it becomes a soft, smooth and elastic ball of dough.
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6
Loosely cover bowl with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
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7
Or you can place it in a covered container and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight.
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8
After the first rising of dough or right after removing dough from refrigerated overnight rising, place olive oil in a 10-inch or 10 1/2 inch cast iron pan and coat bottom of pan.
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9
Put dough ball in pan.
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10
Lightly press dough down into oil and spread it to sides of pan.
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11
Cover with a cloth and let it sit in a warm area for 2 hours.
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12
For the pizza: Preheat oven to 550 degrees F. Lightly press down on dough in = pan to release any air bubbles that may have formed while rising and to push dough to edge of = pan.
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13
Spread sauce over top of dough to the edge of = pan.
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14
Top with cheese and desired amount of vegetable and/or meat items.
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15
Bake for 15 minutes, or until bottom of crust is a golden brown and = cheese is fully melted and lightly brown.
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16
Top with fresh chopped basil, if desired.
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17
Keep it in the pan or remove to a cutting board and cut into 6 to 8 slices.
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18
Enjoy!
