I love Pizza! It is one of the things that I am usually very pedantic about when eating out, often avoiding eating it unless I know the eatery by experience or reputation. Usually I enjoy a simple clean approach, the Margarita was my usual choice in Italy, sometimes I would embellish a little and add some Salami Piccante, Prosciutto, or some olive oil infused with chilli. Last night I decided it was about time I tried out the Pizza stone that I was given, the results weren’t miraculous and although it won’t completely placate my desire to build a Pizza oven in every house I ever live in, it was far better than using a standard oven tray. Last night I made a Greek/Mediterranean themed pizza at the request of my Wife, the base was tomato mixed with tamarillo chutney, sundried tomatoes, artichokes, olives, cheap feta and then topped with rocket dressed in a balsamic and date syrup vinaigrette. If good Mozzarella were readily available I don’t think this sort of pizza would see the light of day in my house! Past the break I’ve included a simple dough recipe, the things you add from that point are completely your choice.

Ingredients

• 500gm Flour (if you can get Tipo 00 all the better)
• 250ml Water minus 2tsp worth
• 7gm Yeast
• Pinch of Sugar
• Larger pinch of Salt
• 2tsp of Olive Oil

Method

• Add the yeast to the tepid water and sugar, let it activate for 15 minutes
• Add the water/yeast and oil to the salt and flour, mix and then knead, you will need a fair bit more flour during this.
• Kneading needs to be continued until the dough forms a nice glossy ball.
• Let raise until doubled in size (need a warm humid spot for this, cover with a damp teatowel)
• Knock it back by kneading it again then portion into pieces slightly larger than a fist.
• Let it raise again for a little bit, should bounce back when you touch it gently.
• Shape by hand or with a rolling pin, don’t muck around with it too long or it will result in a tough/overly chewy base.
• Cover with whatever takes your fancy and cook it at the hottest temperature possible. If possible put the pizza onto a hot tray or large frypan base that has been heated up so that it cooks from the bottom as well.
• Si Mangia!