Easy pizza dough

A play on words for our two boys who got stuck in rolling the dough,
however the name also means maori dumplings.

Making your own pizza dough REALLY is easy! Too often we perceive making things by scratch to be difficult and end up spending way too much money to buy a sub-standard product. Time is also an issue, even more so now, as Ingrid and I have just added a baby each to the mix. However pizza dough  really is easy and so much more delicious than anything you can buy. All it takes is a little organisation and a hot water cupboard!

Jake was methodical in placing the toppings, Rhys was more concerned with eating the toppings.

The first stage involves the yeast sitting in your hot water cupboard or a warm place for about 15 mins, the second stage is where for give yourself an arm workout for about 10 mins and the third stage is when it proves in your hot water cupboard again until it doubles in size.  The time for this varies but I have experienced success every time I have made it even though I have left it for different amounts of time!

Thin and crispy, perfect for little hands.

Easy Pizza Dough

You will need

2 tsp yeast (instant dried)

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 cups of plain flour

1/2 cup warm water

How to make

• In a bowl add the warm water, yeast, salt, sugar and olive oil. Leave for about 10 minutes until its activated and a bit bubbly. 
• Add the yeast mixture to the flour by making a well in the centre and mixing it with your hands to form a dough ball. 
• Knead it until its smooth - this takes about 10 mins - using the heel of your hand works well and you get in to a rhythm. Great exercise!
• Put into a bowl coated in a bit of olive oil and place some where warm to let it prove (rise) to double its original size. I leave it for an hour or so. (I used the hot water cupboard)
• When ready, punch the dough as its quite light and re-work it into a ball. 
• Its now ready to use. 
• Roll it out to the desired thinness/thickness - I always go thin.
• Place on to a floured pan or pizza stone and add toppings. TIP: Uncooked pizza dough can be frozen in balls or flat between baking paper.
• Bake at 200 degrees for about 10 minutes. 

...the best bit is always the tasting at the end.
Ham, cheese and pineapple was the toppings of choice for these kids.

Interesting toppings and hints.
Use a base of tomato sauce or pesto, you can even use store bought pasta sauce.


TIP: Be careful with ingredients that have a high water content such as fresh tomato, mushrooms, pineapple or frozen spinach - this can make the pizza soggy if you add too much.

• Prawns, capers and anchovies
• Spinach, Parmesan and Cracked egg
• Jalapeño and spicy salami
• bacon, blue cheese and leek