
Ingredients for base
- 240ml of lukewarm water (it’s very important that the water isn’t too cold or too hot or the yeast won’t work)
- 1 tbsp of butter melted
- 2 tbsp of sugar
- 1 tsp of salt
- 396g of strong white bread flour or if you can get it ‘00’ flour
- 1 tsp fast action yeast
Method
- If using a bread machine add these ingredients in order (start with water, butter, sugar…). Set it to the ‘dough’ setting.
- If you don’t have a bread machine combine the water, yeast, sugar and ½ a cup of the flour into a mixing bowl and leave it in a warm place for 20 minutes. If the mixture doesn’t go bubbly the yeast isn’t working so you need to discard it and start again (sorry!)
- If your yeast is working that’s great. Add the melted butter and salt to the mixture and slowly add the rest of the flour. Fold in the flour to make a dough.
- If it’s too dry add more water if it’s too wet add more flour.
- Take the dough in your hands and make a ball. Try to handle the dough as little as possible or the crust will be tough.
- Grease a large mixing bowl and place the dough in it. Cover it in clingfilm or a damp cloth and place the bowl in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. About 1 ½ – 2 hours should do it
- Once the dough has doubled in size punch it back it the bowl once of twice, then using your hands gently shape it into 2 equal balls.
- Turn on the oven to 200
- Sprinkle a clean surface with flour, place the 2 dough balls on the surface then cover them with clingfilm or a clan tea towel for 20 minutes.
- Grease 2 round baking trays with olive oil.
- Roll the 2 dough balls into flat round pizza bases using a rolling pin. Place them on the baking trays.
- Top with tomato pizza sauce (recipe below), and whatever else your heart desire!
- Cook for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the topping are cooked
The sauce
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes (400g)
- 3 tbsp fresh basil, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
- While you’re waiting for the pizza dough to rise you can make the sauce and prepare the toppings.
- To make the sauce heat the oil in a large saucepan and cook the garlic until it starts to sputter, don’t brown.
- Add the tinned tomatoes, increase the heat to medium-high and bring it to the boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and leave to simmer for 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Add the minced basil and season with salt & pepper.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Some pizza topping ideas
- Cheese – mozzarella or cheddar cheese is best, but if you like another type of cheese feel free to give it a go!
- Pepperoni
- Ham
- Pancetta
- Olives
- Sweetcorn
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Peppers
- Chicken