Homemade Pizza recipe
This week I'm delighted to welcome Kirsty of the wonderful blog Winnettes. Kirsty's site and social media are filled with mouthwatering recipes, great craft ideas and much more. She's an excellent baker and has offered to teach us how to make pizza at home! Obviously we couldn't say no to this!
Over to you Kirsty...
Homemade pizza is one of our favourite dinners in our house. The best thing about it is that it is completely personalisable to your own tastes. You want all the cheese? Then go ahead. Only one person likes mushrooms? No problem. Need to keep it vegan? I've got you covered. Not only that, but the kids can get involved with this recipe from start to finish. It is an all round great family dinner.
All The Toppings
I haven't specified toppings in this recipe so you can keep it completely up to you. On the one I have photographed I had some grated mozzarella, feta, mushrooms, and then once the pizza was baked I added shredded mozzarella and melted it in the oven for a couple of minutes. I then served it with rocket on top. My husband prefers a meaty pizza and will add various deli meats to the top of his margarita base. As for the kids, they both have some sweetcorn and frankfurters (disgusting I know) and then my eldest will also add some pancetta. So as you can see the only thing limiting your pizza is your imagination.
To ensure the base bakes well I would refrain from adding too many toppings. This will also stop it crisping and prevent any lovely bubbles expanding during cooking.
Keeping It Vegan
I pride myself on being able to turn most dinners into a vegan option. This is an easy one to keep vegan. The overall pizza recipe below is completely vegan. To keep it that way simply have a cheeseless pizza with lots of vegetables or use vegan cheese. This isn't something I have ever tried before. I'm all for eating a vegan diet but I can't bring myself to try the cheese..... Have you tried it?
Get The Kids Involved
I am a great believer in getting the kids involved in making and preparing food as young as possible. Not only will this give them the skills to cook when they get older and fly the nest but it also teaches them what a truly balanced and varied diet is. Even if you don't think you eat that well I guarantee getting the kids involved will give you the inspiration to eat better or show you that you already do. Now Ellie is five she shows a huge interest in cooking and healthy foods. She questions everything and it has helped educate me further as I make sure I can answer her food and cooking questions. I also find that the meals the girls help prepare are the ones they eat the most of and they are less likely to show any form of fussiness.
There is absolutely no reason why, with supervision, kids of any age couldn't help with every part of this recipe. The kneading is a great activity for them to help with as it is so tactile and sensory. They can even help roll the dough, place the toppings on top and maybe even do some chopping of vegetables if you think it's appropriate.
Healthy Eating
There is a common misconception that pizza isn't a healthy dinner. If you buy it pre-made from the supermarket or have it delivered from Dominos then no, it isn't a healthy option. These often have vast amounts of salt and sugar added for taste and preservation. They can be greasy and very high in saturated fats. But homemade pizza is as healthy or unhealthy as you want to make it. I wouldn't recommend eating it everyday but with a bit of portion control there is nothing stopping it being one of the healthiest meals of the week.
Recipe
Pizza Base
500g Strong White Bread Flour or 105g Organic Chickpea Flour*
7g Easy Bake Yeast
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
350-400 mls luke warm water
Olive Oil (small amount for the bowl)
Tomato Sauce
1 tin of Pasatta
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Mild Chilli Powder
2 tsp Dried Oregano
1 tsp Olive Oil
*To make this gluten free use the chickpea flour and mix with 100ml of filtered water.
Method
In a free standing mixer with hook attachment or a mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients. Ensure the yeast doesn't touch the sugar or salt as these can stop the yeast working as well.
Slowly add the water and mix on a medium to high speed or mix with a wooden spoon ensuring the water is well incorporated by the flour. The amount of water needed will depend on the flour used.
Keep adding the water until all the ingredients have mixed together leaving the bowl clean. The dough should be tacky to the touch but not wet.
Remove from the bowl and place on a floured surface ready to knead.
Knead the dough for 5-19 minutes until a smooth and elastic dough is formed.
Lightly cover the dough with olive oil and place back into the bowl to rise. Cover with a damp towel and let rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.
Meanwhile start making the tomato sauce. Place a pan on the hob and heat the garlic with a small amount of oil until smoking and brown.
Add the dried spices (not the oregano) and heat for 30 seconds.
Add the pasatta and heat through.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the oregano. Leave to simmer for 5 minutes then turn off the heat.
Once risen remove from the bowl and place on a floured surface. Start to knead again for a couple of minutes.
Preheat the oven to 220degrees C.
Portion out the dough into four pieces. Either hand stretch each piece or roll out on a well flour surface using a rolling pin. Roll out to about 1/2cm thick.
Place the rolled out dough onto a greased baking tray.
Add the tomato sauce as a thin layer across the pizza base and add any toppings of your choice.
Place in the oven and cook for 10-15 until the base is cooked through and the toppings are cooked.
Do you make your own pizza?
Have you tried any of the toppings above? Which do you love?
Winnettes
About Kirsty
I’m Kirsty, a Mum to Ellie and Trixie, blogging about our Eco Friendly, Foodie, Family Lifestyle.
On my blog you will find plenty of recipes from salads to cakes, as well on our latest tips to live a little more Eco friendly and tips to reduce household waste.
I am completely Pinterest and Instagram obsessed and find them great places for inspiration.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/winnettes_
Facebook: www.facebook.com/winnettes/
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Pinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/winnettes_/
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