Recipes - Italy's Finest

I had this amazing combination of flavours on a pizza years ago and it has always stuck with me.  The salty anchovy, spicy pepperoni, creamy bocconcini and sweet fresh basil create a flavour explosion that will have you thanking Italy for their food genius! 

Ingredients

1 pizza base

1-2 tbs pizza sauce

1/2 cup mozzarella, grated

12-16 thin slices spicy pepperoni

12-16 bambini bocconcini

8-12 anchovy fillets

basil leaves, to serve

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 230°C.

Step 2 - Place pizza base on a lightly greased pizza tray. Spread pizza sauce over base and sprinkle mozzarella. Distribute pepperoni, boccincini and anchovies on top.  

Step 3 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until base is crisp. Top with basil leaves and serve with a simple, lightly dressed green salad.

Notes:

Amounts of pizza sauce and cheese can be increased or reduced, depending on how saucy or cheesy you like your pizza.

Top 5 - Pizzas

I love pizza.  Always have. Always will.  Pizza is one of those awesome dishes where you can let your creativity run wild and add topping to suit your tastes.  Anything from antipasto,  vegetables, meats and cheese of every kind, even sweet pizzas using chocolate, marshmallows and fruit.  Taking inspiration from around the world you can create Indian flavoured pizza, or Mexican, or Moroccan, or Lebanese, to name a few.  As gourmet or simple as you like, pizza can so easily be adapted.  My one tip is to use your topping sparingly.  So jump in the kitchen, whip up a batch or two of my pizza dough, and start creating your own amazing pizza flavours.  For some inspiration, here is my Top 5:

• Best of Cyprus
• Italy's Finest
• Surf Turf Sky
• Smoked Salmon and Caper
• Triple P 

How To - Pizza Dough

There are heaps of pre-made pizza bases available at your local supermarket, in varying degrees of taste and quality, but I've always felt it is satisfying to make your own from scratch.  To be honest, I do buy pre-made pizza bases every now and then when I want a quick meal but it's just not the same.  This pizza dough can be frozen for up to three months so I've decided to make a double batch (enough for 6 bases) so I always have some at hand.  Oh, and one other thing, making your own pizza dough is A LOT cheaper. 

What you'll need: 

• 4 cups plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 7g yeast
• pinch sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 50mL olive oil, plus extra to brush
• 1 small bowl
• 2 large bowls
•  a fork
• pastry brush
• a round-bladed knife
• Clean, dry work surface
• Cling wrap

Step 1 - Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl, make a well in the centre and set aside.

Step 2 - Combine yeast, sugar and warm water in the small bowl, lightly whisk with a fork and set aside for 5 minutes until foaming.  Add yeast mixture to the flour along with the oil and use the round-bladed knife to combine, using cutting motions.  

Step 3 - When mostly combined, use your hands to form into a ball and turn out onto a lightly floured work surface.  Knead for 10 minutes. 

Step 4 - Brush the other large bowl with olive oil and place the kneaded dough into the bowl. Brush top and sides of the dough with olive oil, cover bowl with cling wrap and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for at least 30 minutes, until dough has doubled in size.

Step 5 - Preheat oven to 230°C.

Step 6 - Cut dough into three equal portions.  Roll out to desired size and thickness on a lightly floured surface.  Transfer base to a lightly greased pizza tray/stone and top with desired toppings.

Step 7 - Bake for 12-15 minutes, until base is crispy.  

Notes:

This recipe makes 3 bases.


If freezing bases, wrap individual portions well in cling wrap at Step 6 and freeze.  Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.  To thaw, remove from freezer 24 hours prior to use and defrost in fridge.  Two hours before use, remove from fridge and set aside to allow to come to room temperature.  Continue from Step 6.


For something a bit special, infused oils, herbs or even finely shredded cheese can be added to the dough.  Infused oils should be added in place of olive oil whereas cheese and herbs should be kneaded into the dough.

Recipes - Margherita Pizza

The Margherita pizza is one of the most common and widely recognised traditional pizza varieties. It is, quite simply, cheese, tomato and herbs on a tomato sauced pizza base.  It's great to serve to kids as it is simple and tasty with uncomplicated flavours. Because it is so simple and very traditional there are a hundred different recipes with slight variations in ingredients used.  My recipe will just add to that list.

Ingredients

1 pizza base

1-2 tbs pizza sauce

8-12 cherry tomatoes, halved

1 tsp dried Italian herbs

1/2 cup mozzarella, grated

1/2 cup tasty cheese, grated

basil leaves, to serve

I forgot the basil leaves!

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 230°C.

Step 2 - Place pizza base on a lightly greased pizza tray. Spread pizza sauce over base and sprinkle with dried herbs.  Evenly distribute mozzarella and half of the tasty cheese over sauce.  Top with cherry tomatoes and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  

Step 3 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until base is crisp. Top with basil leaves and serve with a simple, lightly dressed green salad.

Notes:

Amounts of pizza sauce and cheese can be increased or reduced, depending on how saucy or cheesy you like your pizza.