Delicious Home-Made Pizza in 2 Easy Ways!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Ingredients
- Making the Pizza Dough
- Preparing the Pizza Toppings
- Assembling the Pizza
- Cooking Methods (Stove and Oven)
- Serving and Enjoying the Pizza
- Tips and Variations
- Conclusion
Article
Introduction
Welcome to another episode of the delicious cooking series! In today's article, I will be showing You how to make pizza using both the stove and oven methods. This interesting recipe will give you the opportunity to choose your preferred cooking method and enjoy a homemade pizza that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you will need to make this delicious pizza:
- All-purpose flour
- Instant yeast
- Granulated white sugar
- Salt
- Egg
- Warm milk
- Soft butter
- Pizza Sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Fresh vegetables (onions, Bell peppers, carrots, celery, tomatoes, scotch bonnet peppers)
- Cooking oil
- Chicken breasts
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Mozzarella cheese
Feel free to experiment with different toppings Based on your personal preferences and dietary restrictions. Now that we have the ingredients ready, let's move on to making the pizza dough.
Making the Pizza Dough
To start, add all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated white sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl. Give it a good stir to combine the dry ingredients. Create a hole in the center and add the egg, then mix again to combine. Next, add the warm milk and mix until well incorporated. Add the soft butter and mix again.
Now, it's time to get your hands involved. Use your hands to mix all the ingredients together until a dough is formed. Transfer the dough to a flat surface and knead for at least 10 to 12 minutes. Kneading the dough will activate the gluten, giving it a soft and stretchy consistency.
Alternatively, if you have a stand mixer with a kneading attachment, you can use that instead. Make sure to knead the dough for at least 10 to 12 minutes to achieve the right consistency. The dough should be very soft and should bounce back when pressed with a finger.
Once the dough is formed and kneaded, place it back in the mixing bowl, cover it with a kitchen napkin, and let it rise in a warm place. The dough will double in size and become lighter in weight. This rising process is essential to activate the yeast and create a fluffy crust.
Preparing the Pizza Toppings
While the dough is rising, it's time to prepare the pizza toppings. A typical pizza topping consists of sauce, vegetables, proteins, and lots of cheese. You can choose to use a store-bought pizza sauce or make your own at home. If you prefer homemade sauce, here's a simple recipe:
- Cut onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers into small chunks.
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté the onions for a few seconds.
- Add the carrots and celery and sauté for another minute.
- Add the bell peppers and tomatoes.
- Season with thyme, curry powder, seasoning cubes, and salt.
- Stir to combine and add 1 cup of Water.
- Cover the pot and simmer for five minutes.
- After five minutes, the vegetables should have softened. Transfer them to a blender and blend until completely pureed.
You now have a creamy and flavorful pizza sauce. You can use it immediately or store it in the freezer for up to two months.
For the proteins, you can use chicken breasts, sausage, and bacon. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then pan-sear it on high heat until browned on both sides. Cook the sausage and bacon as well and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Finally, grate the mozzarella cheese using a box grater.
Assembling the Pizza
Once the dough has doubled in size, it's time to assemble the pizza. Divide the dough into four equal halves and work with one portion at a time. You can freeze the remaining dough for future use.
For the stove method, take one portion of the dough and Roll it out with a rolling Pin. Trim the edges to make it look neat. In a pan on low heat, coat the pan with vegetable oil and allow it to heat up. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pan and cook on one side for about three to four minutes, or until lightly browned. Flip the dough to the other side and immediately start placing the toppings.
Start by spreading the sauce on the surface of the dough, followed by the cheese, chicken, sausage, bacon, bell peppers, and more cheese. Cover the pan and cook on very low heat for another three to five minutes. This low heat cooking will allow the cheese to melt and the toppings to cook slightly.
For the oven method, roll out another portion of the dough and place it on a greased pizza tray or any oven-safe tray. Spread the sauce, shredded cheese, chicken, sausage, bacon, bell pepper strips, and more cheese on top. Be generous with the cheese to achieve that classic stretchy consistency.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake the pizza for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dough is slightly browned.
Cooking Methods (Stove and Oven)
Both the stove and oven methods have their advantages and it ultimately depends on your preference and the amount of time you have to prepare. The stove method is quicker and gives you a slightly different texture, while the oven method allows for a more traditional pizza experience.
If you're using the stove method, make sure to cook the dough on low heat to prevent burning. The steam released will help melt the cheese and cook the toppings. For the oven method, preheating is crucial to ensure even cooking and browning of the crust.
Serving and Enjoying the Pizza
Once the pizza is cooked, remove it from the heat and transfer it to a plate. Take a moment to appreciate your homemade masterpiece. Cut the pizza into slices and savor the delicious flavors.
You can serve the pizza as it is or pair it with a side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. This versatile dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends or enjoying on your own.
Tips and Variations
- Get creative with your toppings! Experiment with different combinations of vegetables, proteins, and cheeses to find your favorite flavor profile.
- To add a burst of freshness, you can top your pizza with some fresh herbs like basil or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- If you prefer a thinner crust, you can roll out the dough even thinner or use a rolling pin to flatten it further.
- Don't be afraid to personalize your pizza by adding your favorite ingredients like olives, mushrooms, or even pineapple if that's your preference.
- Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be enjoyed cold or reheated in the oven for a few minutes until warm.
Conclusion
Making pizza at home using the stove or oven method is a truly rewarding experience. While it may take some time and effort, the end result is worth it. By following this recipe, you'll be able to create a delicious homemade pizza that will impress your family and friends. So, Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let's get cooking!