How to make pizza

Here’s a guide to making delicious homemade pizza:

Ingredients:

For the Dough (makes one 12-inch pizza):

• 1 ½ cups (187 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (120 ml) warm water (around 105°F or 40°C)

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings (choose your favorites):

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pizza sauce (optional, additional to the sauce made above)
• Pepperoni slices
• Sausage
• Chopped vegetables (onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.)
• Fresh basil leaves

Equipment:

• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Rolling pin
• Parchment paper (or pizza stone)
• Baking sheet
• Oven

Instructions:

Make the Dough:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Mix in Wet Ingredients: Add the olive oil and warm water to the dry ingredients. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes by hand, or until smooth and elastic. You can also knead the dough using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for 5-7 minutes.
4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning the dough to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Make the Pizza Sauce:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Pizza:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). If you have a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven as well for at least 30 minutes.
2. Roll out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. You can use a rolling pin or your hands to shape the dough.
3. Transfer Dough to Baking Sheet (or Pizza Stone): Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or directly onto your preheated pizza stone.
4. Spread Sauce: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. You can use additional pizza sauce here if you prefer more sauce on your pizza.
5. Add Toppings: Sprinkle your desired cheese over the sauce. Then add your other toppings like pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, etc.
6. Bake: Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish and Enjoy! Once the pizza is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves (optional) and enjoy your delicious homemade pizza!

Tips:

• For a crispier crust, preheat your baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven before transferring the pizza dough.
• You can experiment with different types of cheese, sauces, and toppings to create your own favorite pizza combinations.
• If you don’t have time to make your own dough, you can use store-bought pizza dough to save time.
• Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.