Pizza Dough

Easy and tasty this pizza dough recipe is definitely worth a try and when you have had it fresh, you won't want to go back to shop bought. Our whole family gets involved in making their own pizza and then we vote on whose is best. (No one can vote for their own!) The kids love being hands on in the kitchen and with this recipe making enough for 5 good size pizzas and a garlic bread, it is not only cheap, but with hand picked ingredients it is healthier too.

You will need:

Mixing bowl

Measuring jug

1kg Strong white bread flour or whole

1 tsp table salt

2 dried yeast sachets

1 tbsp caster sugar

4 tbsp Olive oil

650ml Warm water

Method:

Pour the flour and salt into the bowl.

(You can do this on a work surface, making a well in the middle of the flour to pour in the mix, but I have once created a river onto the floor during the mixing process, so it's a bowl all the way for me!)

Leaving the water in jug, add in the oil, sugar and yeast and mix well. Allow to stand for 3 mins.

Gradually add the mixture in to the flour, using a wooden spoon to mix in.

Knead the dough with floury hands until it is springy, soft with no lumps. This can be done on a floured worktop.

Return the dough to the bowl and cover the bowl over with a clean, damp tea towel.

Leave for 40 minutes this should be enough time to rise, but if you want to leave it for an hour, even better! It should be about double the size.

'Knock the dough' kneading it again on the floured worktop.

Separate into six pieces or more, if you want smaller pizzas.

Lightly grease the oven trays with a little more oil.

Gently tease the dough with your finger tips.

(You can try throwing it in the air like a pro, but I like my pizza in my tummy not on the ceiling or floor!)

Top the pizza with whatever you like best, but I have found that whatever toppings we use, the best cheese is a nice mix of mozzarella and mature cheddar.

Cook on 220ºC for around 15 mins or until the dough is golden and the cheese bubbles.

Serve and enjoy.

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