Making a Perfect Pizza - Step by Step

Servings
Serves 3-4
Making a perfect pizza is really easy...you can do it at
home and have better results than most bought pizzas!
Heres ho! you can make one at home! "#
$ngredients for %ough
& '(& cups all-purpose flour
' '(& tsp. salt
) tbsp. oil
' '(& tsp. sugar
' '(& tsp. instant yeast
*use & tsp. for colder climates#
& pinches of baking po!der
!arm milk mi+ed !ith a bit of !ater for kneading
$nstructions
S,-. '" .repare the pizza sauce
/ou can buy this ready-made0 but $ al!ays prefer kno!ing !hat goes into my pizza sauce. Here is my
recipe for a simple pizza sauce. %o not go overboard !ith the spices0 you !ant this simple and
naturally flavorful.
1lend &-3 tomatoes0 ' capsicum0 ' green chilli0 small onion and a grated carrot together until smooth.
Heat a bit of oil in a pan0 like a tbsp. or even less. ,hen add a bit of garlic paste0 follo!ed by ' tbsp.
tomato paste. 2nce thats cooked for a couple mins0 add the blended mi+ture and simmer. 3dd salt and
a tsp. of sugar follo!ed by a bit of tandoori masala or cumin po!der or oregano or you can 4ust leave
it plain and unspiced according to your taste. 5et it simmer until thick and all the !ater is gone. ,hen
use accordingly! "#
5eftover sauce can !ork perfectly in burgers or sand!iches or even as a base-sauce for pasta
S,-. &" 6et all your toppings ready. $ve used shredded leftover tandoori baked chicken *recipe
H-7- # $ve also used chunks of pineapple0 some s!eet corn0 red 8 green capsicum(bell pepper and
some sliced red onions.
/ou can use any topping of your choice. /ou can make it a meat pizza0 veggie0 combo...!hatever you
like. 9ust make sure your toppings are not soggy other!ise your pizza !ill be a sloppy mess.
S,-. 3" :o! prepare the dough. ,his pizza !as a '& inch one0 and it is enough for 3 very hungry
people or 4 if you have any sides like garlic bread0 fries0 salad...etc.
Mi+ all the dry ingredients and the oil0 then slo!ly start adding the !arm milk a little at a time. 6et it
to a soft dough0 the softer the better0 knead it very !ell for at least ; minutes or more if possible.
%ab a touch of oil all over the dough0 then cover it and place it some!here !arm. 5eave it to rise to
double its size0 takes about 3< mins to an hour depending on the !eather.
2nce risen0 punch it do!n0 give it a =uick knead and then roll it out to about '& inches diameter and
place on your greased pizza pan(tray. 3gain cover the tray !ith a light cloth(to!el and let the base
rest(rise slightly for about ')-&< mins
S,-. 4" >hen you check on it after &< mins0 it !ill have slightly puffed up. ,ake a sharp knife and
make tiny slits all over the base. ,his helps the pizza rise evenly during baking once the toppings are
on it. Missing this step can leave your pizza bubbly in some parts and flat in others0 not a pretty
sight! "#
S,-. )" 2nce youve made the slits0 apply a coating of your pizza sauce as evenly as you can.
S,-. ?" :o! grate some cheese0 mozzarella preferably0 and sprinkle a light layer all over. ,his helps
grip the toppings to the base later on.
S,-. @" :o! add your toppings one at a time
.ic '" ,andoori Ahicken chunks
.ic &" Sliced onions
.ic 3" .ineapple chunks
.ic 4" 7ed 8 6reen .epper
.ic )" S!eet corn
.ic ?" Mozzarella 8 Aheddar Aheese *make sure you use 622% BC35$,/ cheeses for best results#
Make sure you dont over-pile your pizza. 1e generous but not overly so. 7emember0 the base has not
been baked beforehand. ,oo much !eight could restrict the base from rising !ell during baking. "#
S,-. ;" $ like to drizzle some ketchup over the cheese. $t gives the pizza a magnificent color once
baked. $f you like0 you can sprinkle some oregano on the pizza or chili po!der if you like it e+tra
spicy.
2nce done0 bake the pizza in a pre-heated oven at ';<A for about &<-&)mins. Deep an eye on it and
ad4ust the baking time according to your oven. $t could take more or less time.
E$:35 7-SC5,!
3nd you have your perfect home-made pizza0
4ust like that! >hen you get the pizza out of
the oven0 give it some time to rest *about )-'<
mins# so that the cheese can settle and cool
very slightly. Slice it up into ; slices and
serve !ith fries or a salad and garlic bread.
%ont forget a cold drink!
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