Healthier than shop-bought stuff and less expensive than a takeaway, there can be few dishes as rewarding as a home-made pizza! We’ll show you how to make the base from scratch – once that’s done, you can top it with anything you fancy. Here are some topping suggestions:
Step 1 - Use a sieve to sift your flour into a mixing bowl.
Step 2 - Mix the salt into the flour. You can also grind some pepper into the mix if you so desire.
Step 3 - Put your water, olive oil, yeast and sugar in a mixing jug and leave to stand for five minutes (this will allow the yeast to activate).
Step 4 - After five minutes have passed, slowly pour the contents of the jug into your mixing bowl. While you pour, stir the mixture with a spoon.
Step 5 - Once everything is mixed together, use your hands to knead the dough until it starts to gain some elasticity.
Step 6 - Place your kneaded dough back in the mixing bowl, cover the bowl with a damp towel, and leave to stand for an hour. This gives the yeast a chance to take effect – once the hour has passed, your dough will have grown much larger.
Step 7 - When you come back to the kitchen, preheat your oven to 200oC.
Step 8 - Knead the dough a little more and separate it into two halves. Remember, if you only want to make a single pizza, you can freeze the other half of the dough.
Step 9 - Use a rolling pin to roll your pizza dough out. Aim for a size that fits your pizza tray.
Step 10 - Place your pizza base on the tray and spread your tomato purée across the surface. Remember to leave a crust around the edge.
Step 11 - Add your mozzarella cheese and any other toppings you fancy.
Step 12 - Cook your pizza in the oven for 15-20 minutes (depending on how crispy you like it!)
