Tomato & Anchovy Pizza

Learning how to make your own pizzas at home is an excellent idea. They're much healthier than most pizzas you can buy in shops or restaurants; they're cheerfully cheaper; and they're also really, really good... These particular homemade in Essex pizzas are thin and crispy, with deliciously sweet tomato sauce and salty anchovies on top.

Ingredients

  • 250g Strong Flour
  • 1tsp Yeast
  • Drizzle Olive Oil
  • 175ml Warm Water
  • Pinch Salt
  • Clove Garlic
  • Tin Tomatoes
  • Tin or Jar Anchovies
  • Oregano
  • Half an Onion

First, get the Dough ready… In a large bow, mix 250g Strong Bread Flour with a big pinch Salt, 1tsp Yeast (or 1 sachet), a big drizzle Olive Oil and 175ml hot Water.  When it comes together, knead the Dough for 5 minutes on a clean surface.  Then dust the ball of Dough and leave it to rise in a large bowl, covered with a clean tea towel.  Leave for an hour or two

Meanwhile make the Sauce; crush a clove of Garlic and heat a pan with a little Olive Oil.  When hot, add the crushed Garlic and fry for a minute or so, until the Garlic starts to smell cooked.  Now add the tin of Tomatoes and 1 tin of Water.  Add a pinch of Salt and leave to simmer gently for half an hour or so, until nearly all the liquid is gone and the Sauce is thick and sweet.  Turn off the heat

Drain some Anchovies and very finely slice half an Onion.  Get some Oregano ready (either fresh, washed and chopped; or dried)

When you’re ready to eat Pizza – pre-heat the oven to 230˚c

Lightly sprinkle some Flour on a couple of baking trays (or Semolina).  Knock the Dough back into shape and divide the dough into two or three (depending on how many Pizzas you’re after, and how big you want them).  Roll out each piece.  You can do this with a floured rolling pin, or just flatten and shape it with your hands

Spoon a little Tomato Sauce onto each Pizza, and then add some Anchovies and a couple of slices of Onion.  Definitely don’t load the Pizzas with too much… less is definitely more in this case.  Finish with a drizzle of Olive Oil and a liberal sprinkle of Oregano

Put in the oven for 11 or 12 minutes – or until the Pizzas are crispy and cooked

Eat immediately… some Green Salad is good on the side; or some sliced Tomatoes; or some Bean Salad…

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