Pizza Mix

Everyone loves pizza and a homemade dough is so much better than a bought one.

This is quite an involved lesson as making the dough, kneading it and then putting the pizza toppings together all takes time, but it is well worth the effort.

This is a quick-mix dough which does not need rising time which is an extra bonus.

The thing which makes this dough special for the students is that they choose the various herbs and spices to flavour the base and to make it an original product. Everyone makes their own pizza too (instead of in pairs), which means they all have the chance to make a base.

As with all of these lessons, the students make and package the mix first before making and baking a real pizza.

Pizza Mix

4 c flour
2 x 8 g sachets instant yeast
2 t sugar

1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, yeast and sugar.
2. Add 1 or more flavourings of your choice from the list below.

Flavouring ingredients:

1 t Garlic powder
1 t Oregano
1 t Parsley
1 t Basil
1 t Tarragon
1 t Thyme
1 t Rosemary
1 t other herbs (as provided)

3. Take out one cup of mixture and put it in a snap lock bag. Take out another cup of mixture and put it in a second snap lock bag. Attach the instructions – this is for you and your partner to take home to give as a gift.
4. Divide the pizza mix left in the bowl into 2 bowls.

Instructions for making the pizza

• 1 c pizza mix
• 1 T olive oil
• 90 mL warm water

• 2 T tomato paste or pizza sauce
• 1 c grated cheese (mozzarella is best)
• Your favourite pizza toppings – mushrooms, pineapple, ham, capsicum, onions, etc

1. Preheat the oven to 190 ºC.
2. Put the pizza mix into a bowl.
3. Mix the warm water and oil together
4. Pour the oil and water into the dry ingredients and mix until the dough just comes together.
4. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead for approximately 5 – 8 minutes or until elastic (when you press the top it should bounce back and leave no indentation).
5. Divide the dough into two pieces and form into round, flat shapes.
6. Place on an oven tray which has been lined with baking paper.
7. Spread the pizza bases with tomato paste then sprinkle with cheese.
8. Arrange other pizza ingredients on top of the cheese and bake at 190º C for 15 to 20 mins or until pizza crusts are crisp and the cheese is melted.