How to make hot pizza

Making a hot and delicious pizza at home can be a fun and rewarding experience! Here’s a basic recipe and steps to guide you through:

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the sauce:

• 1 can (14-16 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dough:

• In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• In a large bowl, mix 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
• Stir until the dough comes together. If it’s too sticky, add more flour, a little at a time, until you have a smooth and elastic dough.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and springs back when pressed with a finger.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

2. Make the sauce:

• In a saucepan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

3. Preheat your oven:

• Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go (usually around 500°F or 260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.

4. Shape the dough:

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into 2 or 3 equal portions, depending on how thick you want your crust.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion of dough into a circle or rectangle of your desired thickness. Transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper.

5. Assemble the pizza:

• Spread a layer of the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
• Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
• Add your chosen toppings. Be careful not to overload the pizza, as this can make it soggy.

6. Bake the pizza:

• Slide the pizza (on the parchment paper) onto a preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

7. Serve and enjoy:

• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two before slicing.
• Garnish with fresh basil or red pepper flakes if desired.
• Slice and serve hot!

Making pizza at home allows you to customize it with your favorite toppings and ensures that it’s fresh and hot out of the oven. Enjoy your homemade pizza!