Do It Yourself! Pizza

Thanks to my Sicilian masterchef great aunt, making pizza at home goes back 3 generations in my family. She taught my mother who in turn taught me. Today I enjoy making pizza with my kids. They love piling on their favourite toppings while my husband and I try to get slightly more sophisticated. Here are a few tips to make it at home.

• Equipment
  I would recommend you buy 2 to 3 pizza trays as they have aerating holes to keep the crust from getting soggy. However, an oiled oven tray does the trick just as well.

• Dough
  You will need to leave the dough to rest in a warm room, over a radiator or, if you have one, in a bread machine. This recipe makes enough dough for 3 thin crust pizzas. If you prefer a thicker crust, once rolled out, just let the dough rest covered in a warm environment. It will rise on its own to a bread-like texture.

• Toppings
  Typically you will need some tomato sauce or paste to spread thinly over the dough. Now for the fun part, pile any of your favourite toppings followed by a bit of cheese. Really there is no rule, look what is in season and let your creativity guide you. This is also a great way to use leftover vegetables, olives, cheese, meat etc.. In our house, storecupboard jars of olives, roasted peppers, capers, roasted artichokes, sundried tomatoes and even potatoes always come handy. Rocket, salad leaves,  spinach and kale can also be added raw, on top, just before serving. If you have any extra, here is a handy guide on how to reheat pizza the next day.

Next time you have friends around why not turn your dinner party into a fun build-your-own pizza evening and keep the takeaway at bay! You might even surprise yourself with some unusual combination. Here are a few ideas to inspire you. Enjoy!

• 50 vegetarian pizzas by Oh My Veggies
• Roasted Spring Vegetable Pizza  [vegetarian] by BBC Good Food
  
• My Favourite Vegan Pizza by The Minimalist Baker
• Nigel Slater’s Pizza Recipes
• Simple 4-Topping Pizza
• Beetroot and Onion Pizza [vegetarian] by Rover Cottage
• Margherita Pizza [vegetarian] by BBC Good Food

Do you have a favourite topping combination? Please share it in the comments box below.