Cooped up at home with the kids? Take this time to get your hands moving by whipping up a whole pizza from scratch. While it certainly makes a fun activity for the family, this will also pave the way for more exciting pizza topping ideas to come. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients
PIZZA DOUGH
- 2 tsps (7 g) dry yeast
- ½ tsp caster sugar
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm water
- 2 cup (300 g) plain flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsps olive oil
BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 clove garlic, crushed
- 410 g canned crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup (70 g) tomato paste
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- Salt and pepper
Steps
PIZZA DOUGH
Combine yeast, sugar and water in a small bowl; cover. Stand in a warm place about 10 mins, or until frothy.
Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture and olive oil; mix to a soft dough. Bring the dough together with your hands. Add a little extra water, if necessary, to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.
Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 10 mins, or until smooth and elastic. Push the dough with the heel of your hand, and give it a quarter turn each time. Place the dough in a lightly oiled large bowl; cover. Stand in a warm place about 1 hr, or until doubled in size.
“Punch” the dough down with your fist, then knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Roll out as desired.
BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
Heat olive oil in a medium pan; add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until onion is soft.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, caster sugar and oregano; simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 25 mins or until the mixture is very thick.
Stir in basil; season to taste.
TIP Makes one thick-crust or 2-3 thin-crust pizza bases. For a thick-crust pizza, use the whole quantity of dough or, for thinner crusts, make two or three pizzas from the one quantity of dough. Dough can be made several hours ahead; store in an oiled bowl, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator. Refrigeration will slow down the rising of the dough. Dough and sauce suitable to freeze.
Photo: bauersyndication.com.au