Home made Pizza

Deliver your own

How do you fancy making your own Pizza from scratch ? Straight from the oven, lovely fresh ingredients, topped with bubbling Mozzarella, on a thin and crispy base what could be nicer ? Its a lot easier than you think, less expensive and the list of toppings is endless.

For a quick pizza you can use, Pitta bread,Naan bread or Focaccia for the base but, if you make your own base, it is not too difficult and much more satisfying.

Pizza dough

1lb 2oz strong white flour + extra to dust
2 x 7g sachets fast action dried yeast
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil + extra for greasing
2 tsp salt

Method

Tip the flour into a large bowl
Add the yeast to one side and 2 teaspoons of salt to the other
Make a well in the centre and pour in 10 1/2fl oz of cold water and the olive oil
Mix with one hand until well combined
Transfer the dough to your work surface and knead well for about 5 minutes, until smooth
Seperate the dough into 3 balls
Put them on a floured plate, sprinkle with flour and cover with clingfilm
Leave them to rest for 20 minutes
After resting them, roll each ball to a 10 inch round
Place on a tray lined with greaseproof paper
Cover with the topping of your choice and bake on the top shelf of the oven for 15-20 minutes

Tomato for the base

Shop bought Pasatta makes an excellent tomato topping, as does chopped, fresh tomatoes, but, making your own fresh tomato sauce is probably the best for flavour.

Fresh Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

1.25 kg ripe red tomatoes
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
15 fresh Basil leaves (torn)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp Worcester sauce

Method

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan
Add the onion and garlic, gently cook for 5 minutes
Add the chopped tomatoes and 1/2 the Basil
Add salt and pepper and simmer (stirring now and then), without a lid for 1 1/2 hours until the liquid has almost evaporated
Add the rest of the basil and cool before use

Suggestions for toppings

Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella. Simple but delicious.
Peppers and olives
Chorizo sausage and fresh tomato
Mushrooms and shredded duck
Red onion and Brie
Chicken and chillies
Spiced minced beef
Goats cheese and asparagus
Goats cheese and spinach
Parma ham and Gruyere cheese
Bolognese sauce
Chilli and salsa

Pizza is particularly good with a relish or chutney and a dressed salad