Baking: Home-made pizza recipe

For me, there is no comparison between home-made pizzas and shop bought ones. The humble home-made pizza is a firm favourite amongst my family. My dad definitely holds the pizza making crown but my sister and I are determined to give him some competition! This is our trusty recipe we follow for a delicious home-made pizza.

What you will need to make two pizza bases:

• 500g strong white flour
• 1 tea-spoon of fast-action dried yeast
• 1 tea-spoon of salt
• 350ml tepid water
• 2 table-spoons of olive oil

Method

1. Sieve the flour into a bowl, then add the yeast and salt.
2. Make a well in the flour and add water and olive oil.
3. Now for the messy bit- use your hands to mix it all together until it goes into a smooth elastic dough.
4. Once smooth take the dough out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface and knead for ten minutes.
5. Shape into a round ball and put back into mixing bowl, cover with cling film, leave in a warm place for an hour (e.g. airing cupboard, near radiator, hot plate).
6. When you return to the dough it should have risen, now turn it out of the bowl, cut in half (as the mixture you have made is for 2 pizzas), knead both for 2-3 minutes.
7. Using a floured rolling pin roll out the dough until about 1cm thick, and place on two baking trays. 
8. Spread passata over the two pizza bases (you really don't need too much), sprinkle over mixed herbs/oregano. Add crumbled mozzarella and then add your toppings of choice...we used mushrooms, olives, ham and peppers.
9. Grate over some more cheese if you like your pizzas cheesy!
10. Pop in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Serve with a side salad or home-made potato wedges and enjoy! xxx