The ups & downs of pizza

Today I thought I'd share the story of our family and pizza. We have always bought takeaway pizza, and enjoyed it despite knowing the calories lurking within were bad.

Then one day I received my issue of Super Food Ideas (my only magazine indulgence) and found an awesome recipe for pizza. I had dabbled before making pizza, with shop-bought bases, and even my bread-maker (1.5 hours to make 2 bases), but we always returned to cheap & easy take-away. this recipe looked really easy, and I could have any toppings I liked, or even make little individual ones ... so I tried it. Everyone liked it, so I kept making it.

Then one day we got lazy and ordered a takeaway pizza, and what a mistake that was! We were so used to home-made that this fat-laden pizza played havoc with everyone's stomachs. We swore never to buy a fast food chain pizza ever again.

Now ... since I love the recipe so much, and I think everyone deserves awesome pizza, I want to share it with you all. Here are some tips first:

* If your pizza toppings are freezable, then pre-cut and freeze. I always have baggies of cabanossi, beef mince, diced bacon, cooked onion and grated cheese in the freezer. It saves an enormous amount of time.

* If you like garlic bread with your pizza, have one wrapped and ready in the freezer next to your toppings. I defrost in the microwave for 3 minutes, then re-wrap in foil and cook with the pizza.

Now for the recipe!

3/4 cup warm water
1 sachet instant yeast (approx 7 grams)
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of sugar
2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
2 Tbl Oil (I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Pre-heat oven to 220 (celcius) or 200 (celcius) for a fan-forced oven.
Measure 3/4 warm water into your pyrex jug. Add the yeast, salt & sugar then mix, cover and let it stand.
Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the oil and yeast/water mixture (which should be all frothy, but don't worry if it's not ... it'll still work fine).
Mix it all together and knead for a few minutes.
Roll out your dough and place onto your favourite pizza pan.
Add your favourite sauce and toppings.
Bake for 15 minutes (don't forget the garlic bread!).
Cut.
Serve.
Enjoy!