Pizza

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

1. If using a bread machine add these ingredients in order (start with water, butter, sugar…).  Set it to the ‘dough’ setting.
2. 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!)
3. 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.
4. If it’s too dry add more water if it’s too wet add more flour.
5. 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.
6. 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
7. 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. 
8. Turn on the oven to 200
9. 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.
10. Grease 2 round baking trays with olive oil.
11. Roll the 2 dough balls into flat round pizza bases using a rolling pin.  Place them on the baking trays.
12. Top with tomato pizza sauce (recipe below), and whatever else your heart desire!
13. 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

1. While you’re waiting for the pizza dough to rise you can make the sauce and prepare the toppings.
2. To make the sauce heat the oil in a large saucepan and cook the garlic until it starts to sputter, don’t brown.
3. Add the tinned tomatoes, increase the heat to medium-high and bring it to the boil.
4. Reduce the heat to a simmer and leave to simmer for 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
5. Add the minced basil and season with salt & pepper.
6. 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