Homemade Pizza

Method

• step 1

  Sieve the strong white flour into a large mixing bowl, add the salt and pepper.

• step 2

  Add the water, yeast, sugar and olive oil into a jug and leave for 3 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.

• step 3

  Slowly pour the wet mixture into the mixing bowl while stirring using a wooden spoon until everything is roughly mixed. Then, using your hands, further mix and knead the dough until it is elastic and slightly tacky but not over sticky. Place the dough in the mixing bowl and cover with a damp tea towel and leave for 1 hour until the dough has doubled in size.

• step 4

  Take the dough and knead it for a few minutes to take some of the air out. Split it into two equal parts. If you are only wishing to make 1 pizza then you can freeze the extra dough.

• step 5

  For the sauce, put all sauce ingredients into a blender for 30 seconds until you are left with a thick, light red sauce.

• step 6

  Flour a work surface and using a rolling pin, roll the dough until it is roughly the size of the pizza tray you are using. Place the rolled out dough onto the tray and using your fingers, work the dough until it fills the tray.

• step 7

  Brush the surface of the dough with olive oil and then add enough sauce mix to cover the base spreading evenly. Sprinkle on the grated cheese followed by your topping choice.

• step 8

  Cook the pizza in preheated oven at 200C for 20 minutes and then serve.