Nothing can beat a really good pizza, the combination of a good base, sauce and fresh toppings is irresistible. what’s more, making at home couldn’t be easier!
Pizza, arguably Italy’s most famous export. They can be found everywhere from your local fish-and-chip shop to the best Italian restaurants. However, making them at home can be really fun and delicious! Whatsmore you can customise the toppings however you like!
Traditional pizza ovens are wood burning and are usually quite big. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a pizza oven at home pizzas are easily made in a domestic oven.
You can also use a pizza stone in a domestic oven. Instead of a pizza tray, you put the pizza directly onto the stone. The stone is slightly porous which helps absorb moisture in the dough making the pizza crispier. It may be made of ceramic, stone or even salt!
Probably the most famous pizza is the Margarita. It is simply topped with cheese, tomato sauce and a garnish or bail. The colours of the toppings are supposed to resemble the Italian flag. It was created to celebrate the unification of Italy and it was named after Queen Margherita of Savoy.
Pizza dough is really quick and easy, it can be made in about 10 minutes at home or you can buy it pre-made from larger supermarkets. It usually contains only a few ingredients – flour, yeast, water and a bit of olive oil. However it if you are buying it from a supermarket it may contain preservatives.
Add instant yeast and flour to a large bowl and stir well.
Add salt and oil and stir together.
Gradually add the water, mixing well to form a soft dough. On a floured work surface knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
As we have used instant yeast the dough can be used immediately and does not need to rise.
Preheat oven to 200˚C
On a floured surface, cut the dough in portions and then roll out the dough into large thin circles. If the dough rips simply press it back together with your fingers. Lift the dough onto a pizza tray with baking parchment and turn up the corners slightly to make a crust.
Add the passata with a spoon and distribute it over the dough evenly, drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake for 10 minutes in the oven.
Sprinkle with the mozzarella and basil leaves.
Bake for 15 minutes in the oven.
