Thin crust Pizza

               There are three main steps to make good pizza. First one is the base/crust, second is pizza sause & the third is toppings. It is better if you have pizza pan,but you can still make good pizza by using baking tray. This recipe gives you one 12" pizza. I have divided the dough & made one 8" pizza & one 4 " pizza.

Base crust

• Maida/All purpose flour  - 1 cup
• Active yeast - 1 tsp
• Warm water - 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp
• Olive oil - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste

Pizza sause

• Tomato - 2 medium size
• Garlic (or garlic powder) - 2 finely chopped
• Tomato sause - 2 tbsp
• Olive oil - 1 tsp
• Mortadella cheese - 1 tsp
• Pepper - 1/4 tsp
• Basil - 1/4 tsp
• Oregano - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - a pinch

Toppings

• Capsicum - 1/2 cup
• Onion - 1/2 medium size (thinly chopped)
• Tomato - 1/2 medium size 
• Jalapenos - 1
• Olives - few 
• Mushroom -1/4 cup (thinly chopped)
• Pineapple - 1/2 cup (cubed)
• Mortadella cheese (grated) - 1/2 cup
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Method
For the sause

• Make a puree out of the tomatoes.
• Heat oil in the pan on medium flame & add the garlic & fry for few seconds.
• Now add the tomato puree & mix well for few minutes or until there is no raw smell.
• Now add all the other ingredients for the sause except cheese.
• When it starts becoming thick, add the cheese & switch off the flame.

For the crust

• Add the yeast in quater cup of warm water & allow it to sit for few minutes until you see the foam on top of the water.

• Now add this to the flour & mix well by sprinkling some salt in your mixing bowl. Also add 1tsp of olive oil.
• If the dough is very thick add 1 tbsp of water.
• Finally pour the remaining 1tsp of olive oil on top of the dough to shape a ball.

• Cover the bowl & keep it in a warm place until the dough doubles (approximately 1 hour).

• Now punch the dough & cover it again & rest it in a warm place,so that it raises again (this time approximately 20 - 30 minutes).
• Now nicely grease the 12 inch pan with olive oil & place the dough in it.

• Slowly spread the dough like a thin layer using your fingers.

For the topping

• Spread some pizza sause on the flattened dough.
• Arrange the vegetables one by one as shown.

• Finally sprinkle some cheese.

• Drizzle some olive oil on the edges of the crust & also some on the top.
• Bake it at 425 degree F for 20-25 minutes or till it becomes golden brown in color.
• Remove it from the pan carefully once it is done.
• Run your pizza cutter or knife to make pieces & serve hot.

Tips for the recipe - I didn't use olives & mushrooms cause i didn't have any at that time.You can also choose your own topping combos. Adding oil to the edges of the crust will give nice crispy crust.

I made small broccoli pizza & here is the topping recipe.

• Mortadella cheese (grated) - 1/4 cup
• Broccoli - 1/2 cup
• Jalapenos - 1 or 2 to taste
• Onions - 1/2 small size (thinly chopped)
• Garlic powder - to taste
• Olive oil - 1 1/2 tsp

Method - Spread some pizza sause on the flattened dough. Arrange the vegetables (broccoli, Jalapenos & onions). Sprinkle some cheese followed by the garlic powder. Drizzle some olive oil on the edges of the crust & also some on the top. Bake it at 425 degree F for 20-25 minutes or till it becomes golden brown in color.