Pizza

instructions:

Making a Perfect Pizza: Step 1

Making a perfect pizza is really easy...you can do it at home and have better results than most bought pizzas! Here's how you can make one at home! :)

Prepare the pizza sauce.

You can buy this ready-made, but I always prefer knowing what goes into my pizza sauce. Here is my recipe for a simple pizza sauce. Do not go overboard with the spices, you want this simple and naturally flavourful.

Blend 2-3 tomatoes, 1 capsicum, 1 green chilli, small onion and a grated carrot together until smooth. Heat a bit of oil in a pan, like a tbsp or even less. Then add a bit of garlic paste, followed by 1 tbsp tomato paste. Once that's cooked for a couple mins, add the blended mixture and simmer. Add salt and a tsp of sugar followed by a bit of tandoori masala or cumin powder or oregano or you can just leave it plain and unspiced according to your taste. Let it simmer until thick and all the water is gone. Then use accordingly! :)

PS: Leftover sauce can work perfectly in burgers or sandwiches or even as a base-sauce for pasta.
PS: STEP 2
You can use any topping of your choice. You can make it a meat pizza, veggie, combo...whatever you like. Just make sure your toppings are not soggy otherwise your pizza will be a sloppy mess.
i use tomatoes,onions,coloured capsicum,and tandoori chicken shreded.

Making a Perfect Pizza: Step 3

Now prepare the dough. This pizza was a 12 inch one, and it is enough for 3 very hungry people or 4 if you have any sides like garlic bread, fries, salad...etc.

Here is my standard pizza-dough recipe,

2 and a half cups all-purpose flour
1 and half tsp salt
5 tbsp oil
1 and half tsp sugar
1 and half tsp instant yeast (use 2 tsp for colder climates)
2 pinches of baking powder
warm milk mixed with a bit of water for kneading


Mix all the dry ingredients and the oil, then slowly start adding the warm milk a little at a time. Get it to a soft dough, the softer the better, knead it very well for at least 8 minutes or more if possible.

Dab a touch of oil all over the dough, then cover it and place it somewhere warm. Leave it to rise to double it's size, takes about 30 mins to an hour depending on the weather.

Once risen, punch it down, give it a quick knead and then roll it out to about 12 inches diameter and place on your greased pizza pan/tray. Again cover the tray with a light cloth/towel and let the base rest/rise slightly for about 15-20 mins.

Making a Perfect Pizza: Step 4

When you check on it after 20 mins, it will have slightly puffed up.
Take a sharp knife and make tiny slits all over the base. This helps the pizza rise evenly during baking once the toppings are on it.
Missing this step can leave your pizza bubbly in some parts and flat in others, not a pretty sight! :)

Making a Perfect Pizza: Step 5

Once you've made the slits, apply a coating of your pizza sauce as evenly as you can.

Making a Perfect Pizza: Step 6

Now grate some cheese, mozzarella preferably, and sprinkle a light layer all over. This helps 'grip' the toppings to the base later on.

Making a Perfect Pizza: Step 7

Now add your toppings, one at a time.

Pic 1: Tandoori Chicken chunks
Pic 2: Sliced onions
Pic 3: Pineapple chunks(OPTIONAL)
Pic 4: Red & Green Pepper
Pic 5: Sweet corn- optional
Pic 6: Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese (make sure you use GOOD QUALITY cheeses for best results)

Make sure you don't over-pile your pizza. Be generous but not overly so. Too much weight could restrict the base from rising well during baking. :)
Remember, the base has not been baked before hand.

Making a Perfect Pizza: Step 8

I like to drizzle some ketchup over the cheese. It gives the pizza a magnificent colour once baked. If you like, you can sprinkle some oregano on the pizza or chilli powder if you like it extra spicy.

Once done, bake the pizza in a pre-heated oven at 180C for about 20-25mins. Keep an eye on it and adjust the baking time according to your oven. It could take more or less time.


Making a Perfect Pizza: Final Result

And you have your perfect home-made pizza, just like that! When you get the pizza out of the oven, give it some time to rest (about 5-10 mins) so that the cheese can settle and cool very slightly. Slice it up into 8 slices and serve with fries or a salad and garlic bread. Don't forget a cold drink!! :D