New York Style Pizza with Homemade Pizza Sauce

Making a pizza from scratch has been on my to-do list, ever since I bought the oven. But, you can say my laziness, it never materialized.  When the Baking Partners announced the challenge for this month I was really happy. It was a great experience making the Pizza at home. My first attempt at making the pizza itself was a success. The pizza’s turned out super delicious and needless to say, kids and elders loved it. My in – laws preferred it to the store bought ones. Any day, homemade is homemade; it is better liked with its small flaws isn't it?

Recipe source: http://www.pizzamaking.com/newyorkstyle.php

Yield – 3, 8” pizzas

What you'll need for the Pizza Crust

1. All Purpose Flour – 3 ½ cup
2. Active Dry Yeast – 1 tsp
3. Salt – ¾ tsp
4. Sugar – 1 tsp
5. Olive Oil – 2 tbsp
6. Water – 270 ml

Method

1. Heat about ¼ cup of water, from the mentioned amount (270 ml), the water should be just warm.
2. Add the yeast and a pinch of sugar.
3. Set this aside for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Once the mixture starts bubbling, you can be sure your yeast is working else start afresh.
5. In a wide mouthed bowl, add the all purpose flour, salt, sugar and mix well with hands.
6. Now add the yeast mix and give a good mix.
7. I used my Philips Mixer, add the required amount of water and mix until the mixture comes together.
8. Next add the oil and mix for 15 at medium speed or until the dough passes the window pane test.
9. Grease a bowl with oil and place this dough in it.
10. Cover tightly with a cling wrap and refrigerate ideally for 72 hours. I refrigerated for 24 hours.
11. Take out the dough and keep it outside atleast an hour or 2 before preparing the pizza.

What you'll need for the Pizza Sauce

1. Tomatoes – 400gm
2. Onion – ½ of a small, sliced
3. Garlic – 2 cloves
4. Dried Basil – 1 tsp
5. Oregano - 1/2 tsp
6. Red Chilly Flakes – ½ tsp
7. Sugar – 1 tsp
8. Butter – 1 tbsp
9. Olive Oil - 1 tbsp
10. Salt to taste

Method

1. Grind the tomatoes. It can be a little chunky.
2. Heat a non stick kadai, with butter and olive oil.
3. Add the crushed garlic, basil, oregano and chilly flakes. Sauté for about 2 mins.
4. Next add the sliced onions, tomato puree.
5. Cook covered on low heat till the mixture reduces to ½ its volume or has reached a saucy texture. Keep stirring once in awhile to avoid burning.

For the toppings

I used

1. Bell Peppers – ½ each of Red, Yellow and Green, cut into strips
2. Onion – sliced
3. Babycorn – sliced
4. Cheese – I used Mozzarella – as required

To assemble the pizza

1. Preheat the oven to 200C
2. Flour a pizza pan or a baking tray, (I used the bottom of my spring form pan), divide the dough into 3 equal parts.
3. Place the dough in the middle of the dusted plate, and start patting the dough and also keep moving the plate in circular motion.
4. Press in such a way that you have a thick edges and the remaining area is thin and flat.
5. Brush some melted butter or olive oil.
6. With a fork, lightly prick the insides of the pizza, so that it doesn’t puff up.
7. Now, apply a tbsp or 2 of the prepared pizza sauce and spread it all over, leaving the thick edges.
8. Now, spread the toppings and top with the grated cheese.
9. Place this plate in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or till the underside turns light brown and crisp.

Note:

1. The dough should be ideally rested for 72 hours, but due to some time constraints, I rested only for 24 hours, but the results were good.
2. Use toppings of your choice.