Wednesday, February 2, 2011

How To make Homemade Pizza Authentic

All Pizza lovers agree on the fact that a good pizza begins with great homemade pizza base. It shouldn't be too thick to make it taste like bread nor too thin that it's hard to put toppings on top. Likewise, using top-quality olive oil makes a lot of difference, so make sure you get 100% virgin olive oil. If you're looking for a gourmet homemade pizza base, be certain that you have all the required ingredients indicated in the homemade pizza base recipe. The following authentic homemade pizza base recipe can yield 6 to 8 medium sized thin pizza bases.

List of ingredients:

1kg strong white bread flour or Tipo "00" flour
or 800g strong white bread flour or Tipo "00" flour, plus 200g finely ground semolina flour
* 1 level tablespoon fine sea salt
* 2 x 7g sachets of dried yeast
* 1 tablespoon golden caster sugar
* 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 650ml lukewarm water

Procedure:

This gourmet homemade pizza base is very easy to prepare yet very delicious.The secret to excellent homemade pizza base is using the finest durum semolina flour which is why it is highly suggested to get the Tipo "00" flour. Prepare a clean work surface where you would sieve the flour and salt. Create a well in the middle of the flour. In a container, mix  the yeast, sugar and olive oil into the water and leave for a few minutes. Pour into the hole. Use a fork to swirl the flour into the sides until it all comes together. Then, knead using clean, flour dusted hands until you have a  smooth, springy dough. Place the dough in a mixing bowl and cover with a damp piece of cloth in a warm room. Let stand for an hour until it has doubled its size. Knead the flour a bit so you can push out the air from the dough.

The homemade pizza base is now ready to bake; however, you can still keep the unused portion in the refrigerator for a couple of days. If you would keep it, store it in a zip lock bag in the freezer which must be used within three months.

Homemade Pizza Recipes That Are Healthy And Delicios

If you're an individual who loves to eat pizza, then you should realize the high sodium content of most commercial pizzas sold. Also, some cheese and meat content maybe be excessive for those people who have dietary considerations. The only substitute then would be creating your own healthy homemade pizza.Start with the dough.You have the option to buy a commercially prepared dough but a healthy homemade pizza is much better. Also when you create your own healthy homemade pizza, you can be sure that there are no preservatives and additives in the ingredients. Truth is, another advantage of  home made pizza bases is that you can select a healthier option for the flour you use, you can substitute whole wheat flour for refined flour  making the entire dish healthier.

Lessen the amount of cheese. It's not necessary to put so much cheese in pizza, instead, you can create layers of flavor from several ingredients, such as fresh veggies, herbs and lean meat. Try to include more herbs which can be more nutritious substitute than cheese.

Prepare your own pizza sauce. It is a healthy idea to use fresh tomatoes or even tomato paste. Try also preparing your own sun-dried tomatoes which makes it an authentic healthy homemade pizza. Mix a large batch in one session and store in the fridge. It must be properly stored for weeks which can be used and reused as needed.

Go ahead and splurge on fresh seasonings.Nothing compares to the taste of fresh basil, oregano, thyme and other spices for an authentic healthy homemade pizza.

Use plenty of veggies of your choice. Pizza is a great way to add veggies to family's meals.Several kinds of veggies such as bell peppers, mushrooms, corn, sliced tomato,egg plant, artichokes, can make it more tasty and and definitely nutritious. You can go organic if you want the dish to be even healthier. Prefer unprocessed meat.Use chicken stir fried with a few herbs as substitute for ham or pepperoni.Reduce the use of preserved meats; rather use lean cuts of red meat for your pizza topping. Indeed, healthy homemade pizza can be enjoyed even by people with limited dietary intake.

Unique Homemade Pizza Topping Ideas

Ever since pizza became a popular dish worldwide, millions of people are enjoying the different types of pizza offered in restaurants and pizza parlors. Aside from considering whether the pizza should be traditionally thick pan pizza or New York style thin crust, people can also select the toppings that they want to include in their order. In case you're creating your own homemade pizza, there are even many alternatives for homemade pizza toppings since you can select form a wide variety of fresh veggies and spices in the market. Likewise, you can reduce the amount of meat in homemade pizza toppings making it a good food choice for the diet conscious. If you want to know more about possible yummy homemade pizza toppings, read the following:

Olive Oil - Truly, a very healthy oil that can be substituted for tomato sauce. Typically, white pizza does not have sauce but only a drizzle of olive oil along with your selection  of fresh veggies, meat, sausage and cheese. Expand your taste  and use olive oil as a healthy homemade pizza toppings.

Vegetables - the best homemade pizza toppings would surely include fresh vegetables. Use a wide variety of veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, spinach etc. Having said that, certain cooking methods have to be applied on some vegetables since those that have high water content can make the pizza soggy. So be certain that you have precooked the mushrooms, spinach and onions before adding them into the pizza crust. If you happen to dislike crunchy vegetables, then scald them first to make this happen.

Mozzarella- This one of the yummiest homemade pizza toppings that pizza lovers crave for. It can be sliced or shredded depending upon your style.

Sun-dried tomatoes This makes a great-tasting homemade pizza toppings that makes canned products inferior. Prepare your sun dried tomatoes by baking them in the oven at high heat or exposing them outdoors in the sun. Be very certain that the process is hygienic to avoid any food related disease.

Meat products Sausages, ham ,bacon, ground beef,pepperoni, chorizo, and even roast beef are all possible homemade pizza toppings. Always pre-cook Italian sausages before adding them.

Certainly, there are many selections for Homemade pizza toppings that can yield nutritious and delicious homemade pizza straight out of your kitchen.

Great Home Pizza Ideas For Snack Time

Pizza is a popular and a hassle free dish to prepare that even kids can do with an adult's help. In fact, there are too many homemade pizza ideas such as thin crust pizza or traditional pan pizza depending on your preference. Also, homemade pizza ideas can be as heavy as all-meat flavored pizza to healthy vegetarian pizza  for those who have dietary limitations. Some homemade pizza ideas can either be baked in small pans or an extra large sized pizza suitable for a big group. Nonethelses, one begins with making a  homemade pizza that can be the very base of your imagination.

Ingredients needed to make your own pizza:
* 3 1/2 cups of bread/all purpose flour
* 1 envelope (14g) of active dry yeast
* 1 cup of warm water * 1 teaspoon of salt
* 1 teaspoon of sugar(optional)
* 1/4 cup of good quality olive oil

Combine the yeast with water and let stand for 5 minutes.

In a different bowl, combine the flour, salt and sugar which would be added with the yeast mixture and oil; then, combine well to make a dough to be transferred to a floured surface which would be kneaded for about 10 minutes. Place the kneaded dough into a large greased bowl turning the dough once or twice to coat it, cover with a damp cloth and place your dough in a warm place to rise. Your dough will double in size within an hour so just let it stand.

Place your dough on to a floured surface and give it a quick knead just to release the air.Divide into 2- 3 portions, then sprinkle with flour and roll into your desired size and shape (a good guide line is about 1/4 inch thick.)

Now, create holes in your pizza base all over with a fork to prevent your homemade pizza from bubbling up during the cooking process, then place on a greased baking sheet before cooking.Bake the pizza crust for 10 minutes before putting your sauce or toppings . By doing the aforementioned procedure, you won't have a soggy base. If you're adding a lot of toppings to the pizza crust, this must be done.

Then, you can start modifying your base with any homemade pizza ideas.

How To Make Homemade Pizza Crust

Lots of individuals who love eating pizza have different choices when it comes to toppings. Normally,the toppings are chosen based on the available fresh ingredients that a market offers. Even the type of cheese that would be used is a concern but the most debated part of the pizza is the crust. The crust is the bottom part of the pizza which can either be traditional pan pizza or thin crust. A pan pizza is traditionally thick but some places like New York have created their version of thin crust pizza. The original Sicilian pizza is even cooked with toppings straight in the crust. Ordering pizza all the time can be quite expensive so why not make your own homemade pizza crust? This can be quickly prepared at your free time and served anytime you want to eat pizza. Check out this delicious and easy to prepare home- made pizza crust recipe.

Ingredients * 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast * 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar * 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) * 1 teaspoon salt * 2 tablespoons olive oil * 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar in the water, let stand for 10 minutes.

Add the salt and oil into the yeast solution. Mix in 2 1/2 cups of the flour.

Turn dough out onto a clean, well floured surface, and add more flour until the dough is not that sticky anymore. Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and place a cloth as cover. Allow the dough to rise until it doubles; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, forming a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out. This becomes a good crust for your favorite pizza recipe.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). If you are making use of a pan for baking, allow the dough to rise first for 15-20 minutes before putting toppings. Bake pizza in preheated oven, until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Now, it's time to enjoy that pizza by putting your favorite toppings. Of course, remember to put the sauce first which can also be flavored according to your taste.

How To Make An Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce

Without doubt,millions of people regardless of age or culture love to eat pizza. Ever since this Neapolitan dish became popular, people can?t help eating pizza during snack time especially when there are many people sharing the food. It's a practical choice since all you have to do is call the pizza parlor and order. However, some people are more discriminating in taste and prefer to make their own homemade pizza sauce and dough. For one, preparing your homemade pizza sauce would ensure you that you have fresh tomatoes and no artificial seasonings. Also, you can adjust the flavor of a homemade pizza sauce making it sweet or spicy. Normally,a heap of fresh tomatoes  is required so you can prepare your authentic homemade pizza sauce.  A premium quality tomato paste can help thicken the homemade pizza sauce.Having said that, avoid using an aluminum cooking pot since tomatoes are highly acidic. Remember also to remove the seeds and peel the skin of the tomatoes. This can be conveniently prepared by soaking the tomatoes in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the tomatoes from hot water and you can easily remove the skin. Once you have prepared the tomatoes, see the recipe below:

Items
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/4 Cup chopped onions
* 1 tablespoon minced garlic
* 3 Italian plum tomatoes, peeled and minced
* 3 oz canned tomato paste * 2 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
* 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
* 1/4 Black Pepper
* 1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter, sliced
Method
1. Heat the oil in high heat in a large skillet.

2. Saute the onions in oil until done.

3. Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and stir.

4. Season with salt and pepper depending as you like.

5. Let it boil then simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Cover well since the boiling sauce because the sticky splatter is hot.

6. Lower the heat to and stir in butter pieces.

7. When the butter is almost melted, remove the skillet from heat and continue stirring until thoroughly part of the mixture.

Voila! You have delicious homemade pizza sauce which you can eat heartily. It's time to add the toppings and have a delicious meal.

Really Simple Homemade Pizza

A lot of people all over the world love eating pizza.Although the original pizza was introduced through Neapolitan cuisine, different  versions of pizza is now served in many parts of the world including non-western countries. Pizza is a favorite dish since it?s easy to prepare and cook. Plus, the variety of toppings that can be placed in a pizza recipe are almost endless depending on the available ingredients for a season. Aside from the toppings, the sauce can also be mixed according to one?s taste. Nevertheless, many pizza lovers claim that the best pizza begins with a tasty dough. Here?s a homemade pizza dough that even children can make under adult supervision .

List of ingredients
* 1 package active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
* 1 cup warm water
* 1 1/4 cups cold water
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 26.1 ounces (about 5 1/2 cups) unbleached bread flour, halved
* Cooking spray
Process
1. Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Mix 1 1/4 cups cold water, oil, sugar, and salt in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.

2. Measure or lightly spoon 24.9 ounces (about 5 1/4 cups) flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Put together flour, yeast mixture, and cold water mixture in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix on low 8 minutes or until dough begins to have a shape. Let rest 2 minutes; mix on low 6 minutes or until dough is smooth. Turn the dough out on a surface that has flour. Knead until smooth and elastic (for 2 minutes); put enough of the remaining 1.19 ounces (about 1/4 cup) flour, 1 tablespoon at a time so the dough will not stick to the hands (dough will feel sticky).

3. Divide the dough in half, and place each part in a large zip-top bag coated with cooking spray. Close tightly and chill overnight or up to 2 days. Before using, let the dough remain at room temperature for 1 hour. Ideal toppings are onion, bell pepper, sausage , mushroom, cheese, and ham.

The dough can be stored in the freezer for as long as three months. Thaw the dough overnight before using it.