how to make pizza | Chef Muneeb Abbasi

 how to make pizza with Chef Muneeb Abbasi

 Pizza is a classic Italian dish that has become a favorite all around the world. There are so many variations and toppings to choose from, making it a versatile and customizable meal for any occasion. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps to make delicious homemade pizza from scratch.

Ingredients:

For the pizza dough:

• 3 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the pizza sauce:

• 1 can (28 oz) blanched tomato
• Mirepoix
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

For the pizza toppings:

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Your choice of toppings such as sliced pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, chopped onions, etc.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the pizza dough. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add the warm water and olive oil, and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.

2. Make the pizza sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil, and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 10-15 minutes until it has thickened slightly.

3. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

4. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions. At this point, you can either use the dough immediately or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness, and transfer it to a lightly oiled pizza pan or baking sheet.

6. Spread a generous amount of pizza sauce onto the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.

7. Add your toppings of choice, such as shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, chopped onions, etc.

8. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

9. Once the pizza is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade pizza, and experiment with different toppings and combinations to find your perfect pizza recipe!

                                         Chef Muneeb Abbasi