Holiday Pizza Party

After a very filling Christmas and Boxing Day, and going for a long walk to work everything off, we had a hands-on lunch session. I tripled the recipe below for our two families. After the kids had their fun, the grown-ups got creative too!

PIZZA DOUGH

Makes 2 large or 4 individual pizzas

1 x ¼ oz (7g) package active dry yeast
1 cup (240ml) warm water
2 ½ – 3 cups (600ml – 720ml) flour
2 Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp sea salt

• In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1.5 cups of the flour. Mix well. 
• Add oil, salt and remaining flour, mix with a spoon until the dough starts to form a ball. 
• Turn out of the bowl along with any loose floury bits onto a floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes with the heel of your hands until the dough becomes elastic. Add more flour if too sticky. Transfer to an oiled bowl. 
• Cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for at least 1 hour until doubled in size. 
• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Put large baking tray(s) / cookie sheet(s) into oven. 
• Divide into two or more parts and roll into small balls. Let rest for another 15 minutes. 
• Place ball of dough onto a piece of parchment paper, flattened initially with the palm of your hand. Then, using your fingertips, going around the edges, gently pinch and pull out the dough, to make a flat pizza base, as thin as possible (you can also use a rolling pin...). 

SAUCE AND TOPPINGS

Ready-made Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce OR a jar of store-bought pizza sauce.

Suggested toppings (everything should be thinly sliced): Shredded mozzarella, fresh mozzarella, pepperoni (this is nice shredded, mushrooms, onions, olive, anchovies, capers, peppers, fresh basil leaves, broccoli, fresh tomatoes, sausage, goat cheese… You get the idea! 

• Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and toppings. Leave a half-inch (1 cm) of space from the perimeter to allow the crust to rise. 
• Take hot baking sheets out of the oven and, carefully lifting up the parchment paper and pizza, place on sheet and bake for 10 minutes until the crust is lightly golden.