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Prep 30min (+ 1hr proving time)Bake 15-18minMakes 4 serves
This is a terrific pizza recipe and it's particularly fun to make with kids. It has become a favourite in our house and when the kids were younger it was a regular fixture for Friday night dinner, when their friends would come for a play and early dinner. Together we would knead and roll the dough, then top it, bake it and eat it. They loved it and I'm sure you will too!
Ingredients
Dough
450g (3 cups) strong bread or pizza flour, plus extra to dust
1 x 7g sachet instant dried yeast
1½ teaspoons salt
310ml (1¼ cups) lukewarm water
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pizza Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ brown onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ teaspoon dried oregano
400g tin diced tomatoes
½ teaspoon sugar, or to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Topping
270g bocconcini, cut into 1cm-thick slices or torn into chunks
160g semi-dried tomatoes or 200g cherry or grape tomatoes (halved or quartered if large)
8 think slices prosciutto
50g rocket leaves
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle
Method
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To make the dough, combine the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the water and oil, then add to the flour mixture. Use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
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Turn the dough onto a lightly floured bench top and knead for 8-10 minutes, adding as little extra flour as possible, or until it is smooth and elastic and springs back when you push your finger into it.
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Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning it to coat lightly with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
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Meanwhile, to make the Pizza sauce, put the olive oil and onion in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until the onion is tender. Add the garlic and oregano and cook for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add the tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thickened to a thick sauce consistency. Remove from the heat and season with sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Set aside to cool.
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Preheat the oven to 230°C (210°C fan-forced).
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Knock back the dough by punching it in the centre with your fist. Turn onto a lightly floured bench top and knead briefly until reduced to its original size. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Roll out one portion on a piece of non-stick baking paper large enough to line a large heavy oven tray to a rectangle about 3mm thick. Transfer to the tray and prick all over with a fork. Repeat with the remaining dough and another piece of non-stick baking paper and large oven tray.
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Spread the pizza bases with the pizza sauce leaving a border around the edge. Top with the bocconcini and semi-dried tomatoes (if using), dividing evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, swapping the trays after 8 minutes, until the bases are crisp, golden and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven, cut into portions and serve topped with the fresh tomatoes (if using), prosciutto and rocket, sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper and drizzled with a little olive oil.
Photography by Julie Renouf.
Prep 20min (+20min cooling time)Bake 18-20minMakes about 40
These crackers have a lovely nuttiness (thanks to both the wholemeal flour and walnuts) to them, perfect to serve with a creamy blue-vein cheese. They would also make a great gift, sealed in an airtight jar and accompanied by some cheese and a good bottle of red.
Ingredients
225g (1½ cups) plain wholemeal flour, plus extra for dusting100g walnuts, coarsely ground
2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary, plus 2 teaspoons extra leaves, to sprinkle
1 teaspoon sea salt flakes, crushed
½ teaspoon baking powder
125ml (½ cup) water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey, warmed slightly
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line 2 large oven trays with non-stick baking paper.
- Combine the flour, walnuts, rosemary, salt and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Combine the water, olive oil and honey and use a fork to mix. Add the water mixture to the dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Divide the dough in half and use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out one portion until 5mm thick. Use a 6cm round cutter to cut out discs and place on the lined trays about 2cm apart. Repeat with the remaining dough portion and any offcuts. Sprinkle the crackers with the extra rosemary leaves to garnish, and press lightly so they stick.
- Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, swapping the trays around halfway through baking, or until golden and cooked through. Cool on the trays.
Baker's Tips
- These crackers will keep in an airtight container or jar at room temperature for up to 1 week.
This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Savoury Crackers.
CLICK HERE for more Bakeproof recipes.
Photography by Benito Martin.
Prep 30min (+ 1hr cooling and pastry making time)Bake 45minMakes 4 serves
On a trip to Finland a few years ago it only took me a couple of meals to realise how much dill and salmon feature in the country’s wonderful cuisine. This pie is a little ode to the Fin’s favourite ingredients, all topped off with a deliciously buttery, flaky pastry.
Ingredients
40g (1½oz) salted butter2 celery stalks, trimmed and sliced
35g (¼ cup/1¼oz) plain flour
250ml (1½ cup/9fl oz) milk
125ml (½ cup/4fl oz) pouring (thin) cream
50g (½ cup/1¾oz) coarsely grated vintage cheddar
3 spring onions, trimmed and sliced
1½ tablespoons (6 teaspoons) baby capers, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped dill
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
700g (1lb 8oz) skinless salmon fillets, pin-boned and cut into 3cm pieces
1 quantity Cheat's Rough Puff Pastry
1 egg yolk, lightly whisked with 2 teaspoons milk, to glaze
Method
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until starting to soften. Add the flour and stir with a balloon whisk for about 1 minute until the mixture is bubbling and leaves the sides of the pan.
- Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in half the milk, stirring constantly, until smooth. Gradually add the remaining milk and cream, stirring until smooth. Return the pan to medium heat and stir constantly until the sauce thickens and starts to simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the sauce immediately to a large heatproof bowl and stir in the cheddar, spring onions, capers, dill and mustard. Taste and season well with salt and pepper.
- Place in the fridge for about 1 hour or until cooled to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 200˚C/400°F (180°C/350°F fan-forced). You will need a 1.5 litre (6 cup/2pt 10fl oz) capacity ovenproof dish to cook the pie.
- When the sauce has cooled, add the salmon and stir gently to combine evenly.
- Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to the shape of the dish until about 4mm/⅛in thick. Spoon the cooled salmon mixture into the dish, then brush the edge of the dish with a little of the egg wash. Place the pastry over the filling to cover, then use a small sharp knife to run around the edge of the pie dish on a slight angle to trim the excess pastry. Use a fork to press around the edge of the dish to seal. Cut a cross in the top of the pie and then brush the pastry with a little egg wash to glaze. Decorate the top with the off-cuts of pastry, if desired, and then glaze again with the little of the egg wash.
- Place the pie on a baking tray and bake for 45 minutes or until the pastry is dark golden, crisp and cooked through. Serve straight from the oven.
Prep 2hr (+3hr cooling and 1hr chilling time)Bake 50minMakes 8 serves
This pie is one of my all-time favourites and brings together some of Greece’s most popular ingredients – silverbeet, haloumi, Kalamata olives, rice and filo pastry. It takes a little while to prepare but don’t be put off, I promise it will be well worth the effort.
Ingredients
20g butter, plus extra melted for brushing
80ml (⅓ cup) olive oil
2 leeks, white section only, trimmed and thinly sliced
200g (1 cup) long-grain white rice
1 bunch silverbeet (about 960 g), thick stems discarded, leaves washed and coarsely chopped
250ml (1 cup) pouring (thin) cream
70g pitted Kalamata olives, sliced
225g haloumi, cut into 1 cm pieces
¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 sheets filo pastry
60ml (¼ cup) olive oil
3 teaspoon sesame seeds, to sprinkle
lemon wedges, to serve
Poached chicken
1.5kg whole chicken
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 brown onion, unpeeled, quartered
10 whole peppercorns
4 litres water (about)
Herbed yoghurt
260g (1 cup) plain Greek-style yoghurt
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1 tablespoon chopped dill
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
Method
- To make the poached chicken, put the chicken, carrot, celery, onion and peppercorns in a large saucepan or stockpot and add enough water to cover the chicken by about 2cm. Cover and bring to the boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and poach gently, covered, for 40 minutes or until just cooked though. Remove from heat and stand the chicken in the stock at room temperature for 1 hour to cool slightly. Transfer to the fridge and cool the chicken in the stock completely (this will take about 2 hours).
- Strain the stock, discarding the solids. Return 1 litre (4 cups) stock to the saucepan and bring to the boil (see Baker’s Tips). Continue boiling the stock for a further 12-15 minutes or until reduced to 375ml (1½ cups). Set aside.
- Remove the meat from the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Use your fingers to shred the chicken meat, cover and place in the fridge until required.
- Put the butter, 1 tbsp oil and leek in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, covered and stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until the leek is just soft. Add the rice and stir to coat in the oil. Add the 375ml (1½ cups) reduced stock and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, cover the saucepan with a lid, and cook gently for 10 minutes or until the stock is absorbed and the rice is almost tender. Transfer to a large bowl and place in the fridge to cool (this will take about 1 hour).
- Meanwhile, put the silverbeet in a large saucepan, cover with a lid and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until wilted. Strain and cool slightly, then use your hands to squeeze out any excess moisture. Set aside.
- To make the herbed yoghurt, combine the yoghurt, garlic and herbs in a small bowl and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until required.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Brush a 20cm x 30cm (base measurement) shallow slice tin with some of the melted butter.
- When the rice has cooled, add the chicken, silverbeet, cream, olives, haloumi, parsley and thyme and stir gently to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Lay the filo sheets in a stack, cover with a dry tea towel and then a damp one to stop them from drying out. Take 1 sheet of filo (keeping the remaining sheets covered with the tea towels) and brush generously with the remaining olive oil. Lay another sheet on top. Continue to layer with the remaining filo to make two stacks, each with 6 sheets. Place the filo stacks widthways and slightly overlapping, into the greased tin to line, allowing the ends to overhang the top.
- Spoon the chicken and rice mixture into the tin. Fold the overhanging filo over the top to cover. Brush top with remaining oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until filo is golden and crisp. Remove from oven and stand in tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a serving plate or board. Serve warm or at room temperature with the herbed yoghurt and lemon wedges.
Baker's Tips
- Any leftover pie will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Serve at room temperature or reheat, covered with foil, in a preheated 160°C oven for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for a further 5-10 minutes or until the filling is heated through and the pastry is crisp.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 15min (+ 5min standing time)Bake 25min-30minMakes about 12
Savoury muffins are a great alternative to the sweet ones, especially when served as a snack or instead of bread alongside soup or salad. The zucchini in these makes them lovely and moist while adding substance.
Ingredients
Light olive oil or sunflower oil, to grease (optional)
150g (1 cup) plain flour
150g (1 cup) wholemeal plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
70g (⅔ cup) finely grated parmesan cheese
65g (⅔ cup) coarsely grated vintage cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped basil leaves
185ml (¾ cup) buttermilk
80ml (⅓ cup) light olive oil or sunflower oil
2 eggs, at room temperature
2 zucchini (about 100g each) ends trimmed, coarsely grated
40g (¼ cup) pine nuts, to scatter
Cayenne pepper, to sprinkle
Method
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole 80ml (⅓ cup) capacity muffin tin with paper cases or grease with a little vegetable oil.
- Sift together the flours, baking powder and salt into a large bowl, returning any husks left in the sieve to the bowl. Season well with pepper and then gently stir in the parmesan, cheddar and basil. Make a well in the centre.
- Use a fork to whisk together the buttermilk, olive oil and eggs in a bowl. Add the zucchini and mix to combine. Add to the flour mixture and use a spatula or large metal spoon to fold together until just combined. (Don’t overmix – the batter should still be a little lumpy.)
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin holes, dividing evenly. Scatter over the pine nuts and sprinkle with a little cayenne pepper. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the muffins are golden and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Baker's Tips
- These muffins are best eaten the day they are baked, however they freeze well – wrap individually in plastic wrap and then seal in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 25min (+ 1hr 30min proving time)Bake 25minMakes 8-10 serves
Predecessor to the modern pizza, focaccia is a simple Italian flatbread that was associated with Christmas Eve and Epiphany for many centuries. This savoury version, studded with fragrant rosemary and mixed olives, makes a fabulous accompaniment to a cheese board, picnic spread or soup.
Ingredients
- 600g (4 cups) strong bread or pizza flour, plus extra to dust
- 3 teaspoons instant dried yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 330ml (1⅓ cups) luke warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra to grease and 2 tbsp to drizzle
- 150g mixed olives
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
- sea salt flakes, to sprinkle
Method
- To make the dough, combine the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the water and oil, add to the flour mixture and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-8 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic and springs back when you push your finger into it. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning it to coat lightly with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
- Knock back the dough by punching it in the centre with your fist. Turn the dough onto the lined tray and use your hands to press down on it, and to pull and stretch it to form a rough rectangle about 20 cm x 30 cm and 1.5 cm thick. Use your fingertips to press into the surface of the dough to form dimples.
- Press the olives and rosemary into the surface flatbread. Drizzle with the extra olive oil and then sprinkle with the salt.
- Set aside in a warm draught-free place for 30 minutes or until risen slightly.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced).
- Bake in the centre of the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Baker's Tips
- This focaccia is best eaten the day it is baked.
This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Yeast-leavened Flatbreads. CLICK HERE for more Bakeproof recipes.
Photography by Alan Benson.
Prep 30min (+20min resting time)Bake 16-18minMakes about 8
Just like the ones you buy, these thin, crisp wafers are the perfect addition to any cheese board. Serve them alongside a soft washed-rind cheese, soft feta, nutty cheddar or any number of dips, such as beetroot or baba ghanoush.
Ingredients
- 225g (1½ cups) plain bread or pizza flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, crushed plus extra to sprinkle
- 125ml (½ cup) water
- 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil, plus extra to roll
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, to sprinkle
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Line 2 large oven trays with non-stick baking paper.
- Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the water and olive oil, add to the flour mixture and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 minute or until smooth, elastic and bounces back when you press your finger into it. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and set aside for 20 minutes to rest.
- Divide the dough into 8 portions and roll each in a little extra olive oil to coat lightly. Use your hands to flatten a portion into a rough rectangle and then use a rolling pin to roll out thinly and evenly into a large rectangle about 2mm thick (see Baker’s tip). Place on the lined trays. Repeat with three of the remaining dough portions. Brush the wafers with a little extra olive oil and sprinkle with extra salt and sesame seeds.
- Bake the four wafers in preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, swapping the trays around halfway through baking, or until golden and crisp. Cool on the trays. Repeat with the remaining four dough portions to make eight large wafers in total. Break into smaller pieces to serve.
Baker's Tips
- The more evenly you can roll the dough, the more evenly it will bake.
- These wafers will keep in an airtight container or jar at room temperature for up to 1 week
This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Savoury Crackers.
CLICK HERE for more Bakeproof recipes.
Photography by Benito Martin.
Prep 15minBake 18-20minMakes about 18
Reminiscent of the good old Digestives, these biscuits easily swing between savoury and sweet. Serve them with blue cheese or dip them in dark chocolate to give them the flavour preference you prefer.
Ingredients
- 150g wholemeal plain flour
- 130g (1 cup) oat bran
- 75g (⅓ cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 125g chilled unsalted butter, cubed
- 60ml (¼ cup) milk
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Line two oven trays with non-stick baking paper.
- Put the flour, oat bran, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the mixture with the milk and use the pulse button to process until the mixture starts to come together as a dough. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and bring it together with your hands.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out until about 5 mm thick. Use a 6 cm round cutter to cut the dough into discs and place them on the lined trays about 3 cm apart. Prick the tops of each biscuit twice with a fork. Reroll any off cuts and cut out more biscuits.
- Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden around the edges, aromatic and cooked through. Cool on the trays.
Baker's Tips
- These cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.