Pizza dough

Put dried yeast in a bowl and pour in warm water, stir once, then leave for 10 minutes or so until dissolved. Mix in oil.

Sieve flour and salt into a large bowl, make a well in the centre and pour in the dissolved yeast mixture. Mix together with a large fork, then knead with your fingers (it’s messy!).

Turn the dough onto a floured work surface (preferably wooden; avoid kneading on cold surfaces because this will cool the dough and inhibit the action of the yeast) and knead for 8-10 minutes, using as little flour as possible to prevent sticking, until the dough is springy and no longer sticky.

Put the ball of dough in a warmed, lightly oiled china bowl then turn it over so both sides of the dough are covered in oil. Cover bowl with plastic food wrap and leave in a warm place until the dough has doubled in bulk.

Punch the dough once or twice with a floured fist to deflate it, then scrape it onto a surface sprinkled generously with semolina. Wrap loosely in plastic wrap (if there is not enough semolina it will stick) and let it rest for 2-3 hours, or until ready to use. For longer storage, or if the temperature is very warm, refrigerate the dough, but bring it to room temperature before shaping.

Divide dough in half to make two pizzas, or into quarters to make four pizzas, or into 48 small pieces if making pizzette (mini pizzas).

If making pizzas, roll or shape into rounds or rectangles as called for in the recipe. If making pizzette, roll into balls, then press into small rounds on a tray lined with baking paper and sprinkled with semolina.