I am happy to inform that I am a part of Home Baker's Challenge which is started by Priya Suresh; the first challenge is Pizza, initiated by Divya.
Just a small note on Pizza; Pizza is an Italian, oven-baked, flat, round bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.
For this challenge, I prepared Chicken Tikka Pizza with home made tomato sauce and home made pizza crust. Preparing pizza at home was quite interesting and every one liked it as well.
Thanks to Priya Suresh for starting the group and Divya for hosting this month's event and challenge.
Yield: 2 large or 3 medium sized pizzas
Ingredients:
For the pizza base:
All purpose flour / Maida - 3¼ cup + ¼ cup more for dusting
Instant dry yeast - 1 pkt (11 grams; 2 tsp approximately)
Milk - 1¼ to 1½ cup (luke warm)
Sugar - 2 tsp
Salt - 1½ tsp
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
For the pizza topping:
Black olives - 5 to 6 (Sliced)
Grated mozarella cheese - 2 tbsp or as required to cover the topping
Olive Oil - for brushing the base
Oregano and chilli flakes - to sprinkle on top (optional)
Directions:
Making the Pizza Dough:
Take a wide bowl and add 3¼ cups flour, salt, sugar, yeast and mix thoroughly.
Add 1 tbsp of oil and slowly mix in the milk as needed until the dough sticks together. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.
Knead by hand for 5 to 7 minutes and shape into a ball and set in a lightly oiled bowl.
Cover and keep it in a warm place; allow it to rise until doubled in volume for about 1½ hrs.
Punch down the dough and again knead for few minutes; cover and keep aside for another 45 minutes.
Preparing the Pizza base:
Preheat the oven to 200 deg. C; Start making the pizza base.
Divide the dough into half for two pizzas.
Using rolling pin, roll out dough to the shape & size of pizza of your choice.
For a round pizza, shape it to a rough circle and place in the lightly greased pizza pan; use your hands to get a perfect shape with the raised edges.
Prick it with fork; this will help the dough to rise evenly. Brush it with olive oil and keep aside.
Assembling the pizza:
Brush the pizza base with olive oil; it gives the crust great flavor and crunch.
Spread the pizza sauce and sprinkle the cheese; arrange with the onion, capsicum, olives and chiken tikka pieces. Sprinkle with oregano and chilli flakes if you want.
Drizzle little olive oil on top before baking (this is something that I like to do; but I leave it to your choice).
Bake in a preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until crust is lightly browned and the cheese melts.
Cut into wedges with pizza cutter / knife and serve hot.
Note:
Use damp cloth to cover the dough; this will prevent the dough from drying.
If you are using active dry yeast ; take 2 ¼ tsp and Dissolve it in ½ cup warm water with little sugar in a small bowl; allow it to stay until creamy for about 10 minutes. Mix it with the flour mixture to form a dough.
The baking temperature and time will vary depending on the oven specification and pizza thickness.
Linking to the Home Bakers Challenge event happening at Divya's space.
