Basic Pizza Topping Recipes

BASIC PIZZA TOPPING

Steps:

• Spread sauce over dough, leaving a 1/2 inch edge uncovered.
• Sprinkle cheese evenly on top and sprinkle with desired herbs.

5 EASY PIZZA TOPPINGS

Steps:

• To make your own base: Make up 300g bread mix following pack instructions. Don't rise or knead - just roll into a rough 30cm circle on a baking sheet. Or you can buy a ready-made pizza base from the supermarket. Top using suggestions below.
• To bake your pizza: Heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 8, add one of the toppings suggested below then bake for 15-20 mins until crisp.
• Ham, mushroom & rocket with pesto: Spread your base with the pesto. Top with ham, mushrooms, tomatoes and some seasoning. Bake as above then top with a handful of rocket.
• Spicy pepperoni & pepper: Spread your base with passata. Top with pepperoni, chilli, green pepper and mozzarella. Season, bake as above. Sprinkle with parsley.
• Italian goat's cheese & veggie special: Put spinach into a colander, pour over a kettle of boiling water to wilt, then squeeze out any excess. Spread base with pesto. Top with the spinach, cheese, olives and tomatoes. Season, then bake as above.
• Crispy bacon, artichoke & ricotta: Spread your base with ricotta. Scatter over artichokes, olives and bacon. Season and bake as above.
• Beef, basil, tomato & mozzarella: Fry mince with onion and garlic in olive oil over a high heat for 5 mins until browned. Spread passata over your base. Top with mince mixture, tomatoes and mozzarella. Season and bake as per above. Sprinkle with some basil leaves and serve.

PIZZA TOPPINGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°C/530°F, or as high as it will go. Place oven shelf in top third of oven.
• Stretch dough to form pizza base and slide onto baking pan.
• Follow topping directions below, then place in oven.
• Turn pizza at 4 minutes so it cooks evenly, and check at 8 minutes (even if recipe says 10 minutes). Take out early if cheese gets too brown.

BASIC PIZZA SAUCE

Steps:

• Empty the contents of the tomato can in a mixing bowl and coarsely crush the tomatoes with a fork or your hands, leaving them just a little chunky. In a heavy bottom 2-quart saucepot, add the olive oil, over a medium high flame and heat a little. Add the onions and saute until slightly translucent. Add the garlic and saute about a minute until golden. Quickly add the crushed tomatoes to the mix. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add the fresh basil and oregano. You can add a touch of sugar if desired or if tomatoes are tart. Simmer on a low flame, stirring often for at least 15 minutes. If not using right away, cool down and store in airtight container in the refrigerator, up to 1 week.

PIZZA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan over a low heat, then add the onion along with a generous pinch of salt. Fry gently for 12-15 mins or until the onion has softened and is turning translucent. Add the garlic and fry for a further min. Tip in the tomatoes and purée along with the bay, oregano and sugar. Bring to the boil and lower the heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30-35 mins or until thickened and reduced. Season. For a really smooth sauce, blitz with a stick blender, otherwise leave as is.
• Stir the basil into the sauce. The sauce will cover 4-6 large pizza bases. Keeps well in the fridge for 1 week or stored in a container in the freezer.

EASY PIZZA SAUCE III

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, Mix together tomato sauce and tomato paste until smooth. Stir in oregano, garlic and paprika.

EASY PIZZA SAUCE I

Steps:

• Mix together the tomato paste, water, and olive oil. Mix well. Add garlic, salt and pepper to taste, oregano, basil, and rosemary. Mix well and let stand several hours to let flavors blend. No cooking necessary, just spread on dough.