I consider it a bit of a challenge to find a good pizza base in this city. Ok, I haven’t been to every pizza joint in town but what I have come across so far in the last sixteen years hasn’t been the best. No, I don’t bother with the Americanized rubbish from the Eagle Boys, Pizza Hut and Dominoes ilk … does anybody? I want real pizza with a thin chewy base just like you get in Italy.
There’s a saying … “if you want it done properly, do it yourself”
I honestly believe there’s some truth in this. Regardless of what it applies to.
Case in point. Why bother looking for a decent pizza when you can tailor one yourself? I’ve tried the stuff in our neighbourhood, two of which are acceptable. Today, being Australia Day we forego the traditional barbeque and opt for pizza. That is, a pizza made from scratch. Simple and honest.
It all comes down to real unadulterated ingredients, and a bit of love. Today I go for toppings I have on hand as I couldn’t be bothered to go up the road for anything. I made a tomato base from scratch by frying off some onion, red capsicum and garlic, adding red wine and Marsala, chopped tomatoes and sea salt and pepper, and my own dried thyme, reducing until thick. Mr K used a basil pesto base for his pizza.
dough recipe
makes two pizzas
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250 g plain flour
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1/2 tsp salt
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1 tsp sugar
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7 g yeast granules
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150 ml warm water
method
- Mix together the flour, salt, sugar and yeast.
- Add the warm water and mix to a soft dough.
- Knead for two minutes on a lightly floured surface, then roll out.
- Add the topping and leave in a warm place to rise for 15 minutes before baking the topped pizza at 200°C.
Here’s a little tip. When the pizza is all topped and ready to go into the oven, sprinkle the outer edge with polenta. It takes the crisp crust to another level.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum I agree you can’t beat homemade pizza. Your toppings sound great – sometimes using what you have on-hand leads to otherwise undiscovered deliciousness. I tend to sprinkle polenta on the tray which helps to prevent a soggy base and gives that superb crunch factor you mention.
I like the idea using polenta for extra crustiness. And what is your dough roller made from – it looks like a wooden wine bottle
Belle, it’s a wooden chapati roller I picked up from the Fiji Market near my house. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. I really love rummaging around this place. Will be doing a feature of it sometime soon!
Helen, I love the sound of polenta under the base, i can’t believe I didn’t think of doing that! Definitely next time.
Yes yes and yes. Homemade pizza is definitely the way to go. We haven’t ordered pizza in years since I found a recipe from Peter Reinhart and yes it uses coarse polenta too!
Looks delicious!
I have a pizza oven at home so pizzas have become an entertaining food at my house.
Unfortunately my dad is a bit of a pizza nazi and takesover
Kristy, you need to sort your father out and set the boundaries. Your kitchen = your domain = hands off!
I’ve just found your blog and followed the suggestion pics to homemade pizza entry.
OMG yum. I love making it, i love eating it, i love talking about it…you had me at hello/pizza LOL
Here in Adelaide we are lucky to have Goodlife Organic Pizza, which make pizza to die for. They can break the bank, especially the Monster gulf prawns pizza but worth not being able to afford to eat for another pay fortnight But they showcase SA organic produce in a fabulous way.
I’m really looking forward to your post on about the Fiji market where you got your chapati roller…i recently upgraded my rolling pin & gave the old one to my eldest daughter, much to the disgust of my husband who is the official paratha roller in our house..so i’m on the lookout for one that looks similar to our old one…and your chapati one fits the bill (I guess i can justify a trip to Sydney for that LOL)
My belated birthday present is a mobile woodfired pizza oven designed here in Adelaide…I’m impatiently waiting for it to arrive so i can get pizza cooking…
fabulous post!
Thanks Suzi, the Fiji Market post isn’t too far away!