Homemade pizza from scratch (No mixer required)

So I realize it must seem that all I do is eat, as much of my blogging is on the topic of my cooking or baking. While yes, I most certainly do love to eat, and I enjoy sharing natural (easy!) options for some of my favorite recipes, there is another reason that food is a common topic for me right now, rather than sharing my passion for decorating and design.

While there aren't specifics yet to share, we will be moving in the next few months, and any decorating projects I would have liked to tackle have been temporarily halted. Not because I've lost my lack of creativity or desire to shop (Ha! That fire shall never die out!) rather I know that I will be introducing a whole new color palate and design scheme into our future home, and for the time being I am putting funds to other uses right now. That being said, I look forward to sharing my future decorating inspiration when the time comes, so stay tuned.

For now though, I want to share with you an easy little recipe for homemade pizza I snagged from my new Jamie Oliver iPhone app. In addition to its over-all simplicity, the great thing about this recipe is that you don't even need a mixer to make the crust. While I do have a mixer, I opted to follow the "by-hand" method in order to better illustrate for you.

Pizza Crust Ingredients

•  2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 packet dried yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar
• Sea salt
• Hot Water
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Directions 

Pile two cups flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the middle.

Measure out 160 ml of hot water. Mix in the yeast, sugar, and one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and leave for a few minutes until the yeast begins to foam.

When it has frothed up, pour the yeast mixture into the well and use a fork to gradually bring in the flour from the sides.

Keep going until the dough starts to come together.

At this point, flour your hands and work the dough into a ball. Dust a clean worktop with flour then knead and pound the dough for about ten minutes, until smooth and springy. Add a little more flour inside the bowl, place the dough back inside and lightly dust the top with some more flour.

Cover the bowl with a damp dish towel and leave in a warm place for about an hour (I let it go for about an hour and a half) or until the dough has doubled in size.

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In the meantime, pre-heat your oven to 400* and then prep your toppings! 

Toppings

I typically use whatever ingredients I can find in my fridge -- there is no right or wrong pizza topping! Below is what I used.

•  Broccoli
• Baby bella mushrooms (sliced)
• Cherry tomatoes (sliced)
• Fresh rosemary - (chopped)
• Cheese (I used a mixture of fresh Parmesan,  Gruyere, and sharp cheddar (shredded)

Sauce

(I didn't have enough tomatoes to make a homemade red sauce, so instead I used a packet of pesto season I happened to have to make a creamy pesto sauce. I really like the "Simply Organic" line of spices -- quick and easy, without worrying about artificial flavors, colors and fillers. If you have a jar of spaghetti sauce, you can use that as well -- feel free to improvise!)

• Pesto seasoning (one packet)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Yellow onion (sliced)
• Garlic cloves - to taste (chopped)
• A few tablespoons of water

Start off by sauteing your onions in a tablespoon of olive oil.

When golden, add water, pesto seasoning, and fresh garlic. Stir until combined and simmer until thickened to a spreadable consistency. Turn off heat and allow to cool.

Now back to your dough.

When the dough has doubled in size, dust a clean worktop with flour, and knead the dough for about 30 seconds more. 

Dust a rolling pin with flour, then roll out the dough until it fits the size and shape of your baking sheet (or stone).

I decided to have a little fun with this pizza and make it "stuffed crust" with some of the cheese I shred.

Roll the sides of the dough to cover the cheese and squeeze to seal.

Spread the pesto mixture onto the base of the dough.

Layer on the rest of your toppings.

Finish with cheese.

If you like pizza with a kick, sprinkle on a little crushed red pepper.

Finally, brush a little extra virgin olive oil onto the crust.

All ready for the oven!

Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through, golden and risen around the edges.

There's nothing better than enjoying the fruits of your labor: a delicious pizza pie with all-natural ingredients you needn't feel guilty over.