Monday, 21 June 2010

proper pizza

i think the key to the dough is to use the fine-ground typo "00" italian flour and plenty of salt.

~base~
1c lukewarm water
1 pinch sugar
1 sachet yeast
generous pinch (enough to fit in the grasp of your thumb and four fingers) of Maldon salt
typo "00" flour

Pour the water into a bowl with a pinch of sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the surface. Leave to bubble for 5 minutes or so. Add the salt and flour and mix to a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Return to the bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm spot for an hour or two (until at least doubled in size). Punch down and set aside while you prepare your toppings.
Roll out until quite thin. Heat the oven to maximum temperature (including the baking sheet you'll be cooking the pizza on). Once ready, take the sheet out of the oven, brush with oil, lay out the dough on the tray and quickly assemble the toppings.

~toppings~
I like a simple base sauce of whole peeled chopped tomatoes and passata, rendered down slightly with a pinch of sugar and some olive oil. Then add cheese (mozzarella), dried oregano, and whatever else you like: capers, torn cured meat (prosciutto, salami), a few slices of sweet small tomatoes, torn or sliced buffalo mozzarella, parmesan, finely chopped red chili, anchovies, olives, artichoke, roasted sweet peppers and aubergine, etc. Once cooked, to finish, brush the edges with olive oil, scatter a little sea salt and a little olive oil, and a few torn leaves of fresh basil.