I love a pizza but nothing tastes better that one straight out of the oven.  So during the restrictions I thought I’d have a go at making them at home.  At first I toyed with getting a proper pizza oven, but am so glad I didn’t go to the expense as my regular oven does a great job.  The other thing I love about this pizza dough, is that you can freeze it.  I was slightly sceptical about this but having tried it and it works really well.  Also a great way to get rid of all kinds of left overs.

The Dough (4 pizzas approx.)

500g strong white flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 x 7g sachet dried yeast

½ tbsp golden caster sugar

Tomato sauce

1 Crushed clove garlic

Olive oil

1 x 400g chopped tomatoes

Topping

85g mozzarella

…….and whatever you fancy.  Suggestions would be Jalepino peppers, red peppers, mushrooms, chorizo, serrano ham and some basil to garnish,

Method

1. Start by making the dough – put the flour and the salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre
2. Put the yeast and the sugar in a jug with 325ml lukewarm water, mix together then leave for a few minutes before pouring in the well
3. Using a fork gradually bring the flour into the well and mix into the water. Continue to do this bringing in all the flour.  When it gets difficult to do this with a fork, flour your hands and start to bring the mixture into a ball
4. Once all combined, put onto a floured surface and start to kneed by pulling and pushing the dough backwards and forward to stretch the pastry – do this for about 10 mins
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp tea towel and set aside in a warm place to prove – should take about 45 mins – dough should be doubled in size
6. For the sauce heat the olive oil in a pot over a medium heat and gently fry the garlic for a couple of minutes before adding the tomatoes and seasoning.  Let the sauce simmer away for 20 mins
7. To assemble the dough, split the dough into four balls (or if you wish to freeze some, wrap in cling film and freeze). 
8. Dust some flour over a clean surface and start to roll out the dough and roll it out into a rough circle – ½ cm approx., although make them thinner if you prefer – I do!
9. Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees
10. Take an oven tray and cover with tin foil, grease lightly with olive oil and dust with flour
11. Place the dough on the tin foil and start to assemble your pizza
12. With a pastry brush cover the base with the tomato sauce spreading out to the edge of the dough
13. Place your toppings of choice on the pizza and finish with dollops of mozzarella, plus your choice of toppings
14. Now cook your pizza near the bottom of the oven for around 12 minutes until the crust is golden
15. Repeat the process for the next pizza!