The word “pizza” is from the Italian word pizza (IPA: /pittsa/), with plural form pizza (IPA: /pit: tse/). The term was originally used to refer to a range of dough-based dishes, and is thought to be derived from Pinza To avoid a soggy crust, most pizza aficionados recommend a pizza stone; the stone absorbs moisture from the dough and provides a uniformly heated surface resulting in a crispier crust. The stone should be preheated for an hour before placing the pizza in for baking. If you prefer a deep-dish pizza, you may wish to invest in a deep-dish pan. If you use a standard pizza pan, don’t use a shiny one. A dark, seasoned surface produces a superior crust. Let everyone choose their toppings for a giant pizza. No more arguing over what kind to order, not to mention the added costs charged by most outlets for mixing toppings. The following are the ingredients needed to make a homemade pizza.

1. Ingredients For the dough
½ tbsp dried yeast
pinch salt
pinch caster sugar
200g/7oz whole meal flour
drizzle olive oil, plus extra for greasing
150ml/5fl oz lukewarm water

2. For the tomato sauce
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp dried oregano
400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato purée
freshly ground black pepper

Method
1. To make the pizza dough, place the yeast, salt, sugar and flour in a large bowl and mix together well.
2. Mix the olive oil with the water in a jug, and then gradually add to the dry ingredients, beating and mixing all the time to create thick dough.
3. Knead it with floured hands, until the mixture is smooth and elastic. This will take about ten minutes.
4. Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with a tea towel and place somewhere warm (not hot) for about 30 minutes.
5. Knock back the risen dough, by gently punching it back into the bowl, and leave to prove for another 30 minutes.
6. For the tomato sauce, place all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.
6. Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7.
7. Roll out the pizza dough onto a clean, floured surface to about ½cm/¼in thick.
8. Add the tomato sauce and spread out thinly and evenly across the dough.
9. Add your own topping from the choices below then place into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown.

Pizzas are acceptable quickie dinners when you are up against the clock, but why relegate pizza as a desperation meal? Making your own at home is really not that difficult or time-consuming. With a bit of careful planning of toppings, you also have a balanced meal all in one simple package. Luckily, most kids adore pizza, so you can enlist your children in the process.

Filed under: how to make