Pizza (Serves 3)

I have always wanted to make pizza, but never dared to. Thought it was just for the expert cooks and I had a strong feeling that it might not come out good if I make it. Infact I used to like only the 'Pizza Hut' pizza and dint like any other pizza that I tried else where. But this one is real good. I really liked it. My family too. Give it a try and you wont be disappointed. Best part is that,it doesnt take much effort, the ingredients are readily available everywhere and its not messy. Easy to make for a lazy day!

Update: 18.05.2010
Note: I did not use measuring spoon for this recipe and it tasted different when I made it using measuring spoon. Please bear with me until I get the standard measurements sorted.

For the base
Plain flour – 200 grams or 2 cups
Sugar – 1 tbs
Salt – as required
Yeast – 1 tsp
Butter/oil – 4 tbs
Luke warm milk – half cup
Water – as required

For the topping
Tomato puree – 4 tbs
Soya sauce – 2 tbs
Brown sugar – almost 2 tbs
Salt- as required
Oregano – ½ + ½ tsp
Olive oil – 2 tbs
Paprika powder/chilli powder– ½ tsp
Sausages – 1 cup (thinly sliced and sautéed in oil)
Mushrooms – ½ cup (thinly sliced and sautéed in oil)
Boneless Chicken – 1 cup (Cut into small pieces, stir fried by adding salt and pepper) or 1chicken fillet
Corn – as required.
Capsicum – 1
Black olives – ½ cup (sliced thinly)
Cheddar cheese – 200 gms (May use less)
Mozzarella – 200 gms (May use less)

Preparation

For the base of pizza:
Mix sugar and yeast in lukewarm water and allow to bubble. This indicates the activation of yeast. This may take few minutes. If small bubbles doesnt occur,it shows that the yeast is not activated and you will not get a good dough. So make sure the yeast is good before making. Also take care not to use boiling or hot water because the yeast will not be activated too and again, the dough will not rise.
In another bowl mix salt with flour and add butter. Mix well until the dough looks like bread crumbs. Then slowly add the milk and knead the dough until it reaches the consistency of chapatti dough. Add water if required. Cover the dough with a wet towel in order to avoid drying out and leave in a warm place to rise to almost double the size. The dough should be soft and springy to touch at this stage.

For the topping and assembling of pizza:

1. Heat a sauce pan and add olive oil. Add tomato puree, soya sauce, half teaspoon oregano, brown sugar, salt and paprika powder/chilli powder and cook for few minutes on medium heat (around 4-5 mins).
2. Now, for assembling, divide the dough into two equal size balls. this is to make two 9" pizzas. Take one part of dough; roll it into less than half centimetre thickness. Spread half of tomato sauce very thinly on the dough making sure you leave 1 cms around the edge.

3. Shred some cheese (mixture of both the cheeses) on top of the sauce. Place a layer of sausage on top of cheese, then sprinkle some sliced olives, corn, shredded chicken, mushroom and capsicum all over. Top again with plenty of shredded cheese (Mozzarella and cheddar mix) and sprinkle the rest of oregano.

4. Preheat the oven to 180° C. And bake the pizza for about 20 – 25 minutes or until the base is raised, has a golden brown colour and the cheese is completely melted. Can omit the non vegetarian part if u need a vegetarian pizza.
5. Repeat the same process with the other half of the dough. You can create your own topping with ingredients of your choice!