Homemade Pizza with Beef

I usually make pizza at home at least once a month, and I have tried several recipes for my pizza base. I was never fully satisfied with the results until I tried out this recipe from Annie’s Eats…. Never tried any other base after this one… it worked very well for me and please do check out her step by step instructions… I don’t have a stand mixer, so I knead the dough in my food processer… you can even knead with your hands too J…  also I don’t have a pizza stone with me… I use my pizza pan pre heated in the oven….. use any topping of your choice as desired…

Basic Pizza Dough
Recipe Source~ Annie’s Eats

Yield: enough dough for 2 medium pizzas or 4 calzones

Ingredients:
½ cup warm water
2¼ tsp. instant yeast
4 cups (22 oz.) bread flour, plus more for dusting
1½ tsp. salt
1¼ cup water, at room temperature
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Method:

• Measure the warm water into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Sprinkle the yeast over the top.In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the bread flour and salt, mixing briefly to blend. Measure the room temperature water into the measuring cup with the yeast-water mixture. With the mixer on low speed, pour in the yeast-water mixture as well as the olive oil. Mix until a cohesive dough is formed. Switch to the dough hook. Knead on low speed until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, 1½-2 hours.
• Press down the dough to deflate it. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Form each piece of dough into a smooth, round ball. (If freezing the dough, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze at this point.) Cover with a damp cloth. Let the dough relax for at least 10 minutes but no longer than 30 minutes.
• To bake, preheat the oven and pizza stone to 500˚ F / 260˚C   for at least 30 minutes. Transfer the dough to your shaping surface, lightly sprinkled with cornmeal. Shape the dough with lightly floured hands. Brush the outer edge lightly with olive oil. Top as desired. Bake until the crust is golden brown, and cheese is bubbling, 8-12 minutes.

Beef Topping
Yield~ enough topping for 2 medium pizza bases

Ingredients:
2 medium Pizza Bases
1 tin (400gm) peeled tomatoes (I used fresh tomatoes)
350gm lean, mined beef
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
25gm butter
¾ tsp mild paprika (can use Kashmeri red chilly powder)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
Freshly ground pepper
200 gm grated cheese ( I used low fat Mozzarella cheese)
3/4 tsp mild paprika to sprinkle on top
¼ each of dried Oregano, basil and thyme to sprinkle on top

Method:

• Cut the tomatoes in small pieces and drain them.
• Fry the chopped onion and garlic in butter until golden and add minced beef and fry until it crumbles and the meat has changed colour.
• Fold in tomato pieces, paprika, sugar, salt and pepper.
• Spread the mince on the two bases and top with cheese.
• Sprinkle with paprika, oregano, basil and thyme.
• Bake until the crust is golden brown, and cheese is bubbling,

• This Pizza is YeastSpotted