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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Preheat the oven to 230°C (210°C fan-forced).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.