Step 1

Pour 1/4 cup of warm water into a large bowl. Add your package of active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar. Set the mixture aside for five minutes.

Step 2

Add the olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to the bowl. Add an additional cup of warm water.

Step 3

Add the all-purpose flour to the mixture one-half cup at a time. Stir with your wooden spoon as you add flour.

Step 4

Continue stirring with the spoon until the dough starts to come away from the sides of your bowl.

Step 5

Flour a clean hard surface lightly. Turn the dough out. Knead it for eight minutes.Add extra flour if the dough is too sticky.

Step 6

Roll the flour into a ball. Pour 1/2 tsp. of olive oil into a new, clean bowl. Place the dough ball in the bowl and roll it around till it’s covered.

Step 7

Set the dough aside in a warm place for one hour to rise. Keep it on the counter with a tea towel draped over the top of the bowl.