Pizza is a staple food in our household, allowing the kids to be active in the kids. Both, adults and kids can create their own version customized to their preferences.
One of my challenges is, that for many ingredients for the recipe below I do not use a measure having it done so many times. This means, you will need to experiment a bit to learn how you like it.
- 250g of flour
- 1tsp salt
- 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dry yeast
- 150ml warm water
- mix salt and flour well
- add olive oil in the middle of the dry ingredients
- combine sugar and yeast in a glas (Even with self-raising flour I use yeast to super charge the process)
- add about 1/2 cup of the warm water to the yeast/sugar mix and stir to activate the yeast; let the dissolved yeast stand for a few minutes
- pour the yeast onto to olive oil and add the water
- now move the dough; knead it thoroughly to activate the gluten. At this stage you can add flour or water depending on the consistency of the dough. I should have an elastic consistency akin to the palm muscle underneath your thumb.
- Put the dough aside to proof it. I cover the bowl to avoid drafts. Once doubled in size it is ready to go. Roll it out to the shape/thickness you want.
- You could now transfer the dough to a baking sheet. Another idea, which I have implemented often recently is to transfer the dough into an oven proof pan. In either case, I would put some baking paper between the dough and the metal.
- Now it is time to customize the pizza. Add pizza sauce (you can make your own or buy some of the many different brands) and cheese, as well as the toppings you like. Then let the dough rest for another 15' or so.
- Preheat the oven to 180C. If you put the dough into a pan, I would start cooking the pizza on the stove top, low heat for about 10-15'. As you do so you start firming up the dough and help it raise a second time, leading to a more bread like crust.
- Put into the oven for about 20' and your pizza will be ready.
Comment: Water should be hand warm; if it is too hot it kills the yeast!{/comment}