Pizza

Recipe No: 40

Ingredients                                                                 Makes 6 individual pizzas/ 2 large pizzas

For the Crust

• All Purpose Flour/ Maida…………….3 cup
• Yeast………………………………………...2 ½ Teaspoons
• Sugar………………………………………...2 Tablespoons
• Warm Water……………………………...1 cup
• Salt…………………………………………...1 ¼ Teaspoons
• Olive Oil…………………………………….2 Tablespoons
• Olive Oil to coat the dough

To make the Pizza

• Tomato Sauce……………………………As needed
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese………As needed
• Olive Oil…………………………………...1 Teaspoon
• Other toppings of your choice…As needed (I usually use Pepperoni, Cooked  and shredded Chicken, Sliced Onion, Bell Peppers, Mushrooms etc :-)
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Chilly flakes and Pizza seasoning as needed (optional)

Method of Preparation
To make the dough for the crust

1. Dissolve Yeast and Sugar in warm water and keep aside after covering for 5 minutes.  With in this time the yeast will be frothy. Once frothy proceed to the next step. (If not frothy then either your yeast is old or you have killed the yeast by putting it in hot water. Start over with fresh Yeast.)
2. Combine Flour, Salt, Olive Oil and the yeast mixture and knead into soft smooth dough. If you are using a stand mixer knead on speed 1 or 2 for 4-5 minutes. If you are kneading by hand, then knead for 8-10 minutes.

3. Add 2 Tablespoons of Olive oil in a big bowl and spread it. Place the dough inside and rotate it once so that the whole surface of the dough is coated with the oil.
4. Cover this bowl with a damp kitchen towel and keep it in a warm place till it doubles in size for around 21/2 – 3 hours.
5. After the first rise, punch it down and let it rise once more for 1 more hour.

To make the Pizza

1. Preheat oven to 450˚F/230˚C.
2. Divide the dough into portions. The size depends on how big you want your Pizza to be.
3. Roll it into flat rounds. (Thick or thin crust you can decide)
4. Apply a thin layer of Tomato Sauce on top of the flattened dough and cover it with shredded Mozzarella Cheese.
5. On top of the Cheese place whatever toppings you want.
6. Once that is done sprinkle grated Parmesan, Chilly flakes and Pizza Seasoning if you are using.
7. Drizzle some Olive oil on top and bake on the lowest rack of the oven for 6 minutes and on the middle rack for 6 minutes or till your Pizza gets a nice color on top.

• Notes: High Temperature is essential for this type of Pizza. As we are not precooking the crust, there are chances that moisture from the sauce penetrates the dough making it soggy. In order to prevent this you have to bake the Pizza at high temperature and have to start baking it at the lowest possible rack in the oven. This will bake the crust faster without giving enough time for the moisture to sink in. But after the first few minutes you have to move the Pizza to an upper rack. Otherwise, the bottom of your Pizza with become dark.
• Tomato sauce is different from usual Ketchup, as it is not sweet. Use Tomato Sauce if it is available. If not, you can make your own. Blend 3 large tomatoes, half of a small onion and a large Garlic clove together and heat this mixture until it thickens. Add some Basil or Thulsi at the end of the cooking.
• Pizza Seasoning usually contains dried Oregano, Basil, Marjoram and Garlic. This is strictly optional.
• If your family is not using the entire quantity of dough, then freeze the rest for future use. Let it come to room temperature and rise for at least  one hour before using. If you are planning to use the dough later the same day or the next day, then refrigerate it (don't have to freeze) and let it sit at room temperature for at least one hour before using.

Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love….