Today I was lucky enough to have the company of my lovely Polish friend Ms B. Conversation flowed as did some deep and fruity reserve Port. Today I was at the helm of the already hot oven, trying my hands at a little bit of Italy.
First to meet the mixing bowl was a simple but well-tested pizza dough – water, rapeseed oil, salt, yeast (fast action), flour (plain). After a good mix and a gentle knead (no need to rest), the dough was divided and rolled into two roughly shaped circles, then placed on lightly oiled trays. I’m very much enjoying rapeseed oil at the moment as it cooks well and crisps crusts satisfyingly.
Whilst the bases took a moment’s pause, the tomato sauce simmered over the blue flame. To chopped (tinned) tomatoes (nothing too fancy – just the standard shop own brand), I squeezed a generous amount of tomato ketchup, a splash of red wine (left over from Mr Chesterfield’s visit), a smidgen of tomato puree, salt, pepper and roughly torn basil. Once the sauce was a tempting rich red, it was spread in smooth circular motions over the entire base of each longing pizza.
Mozzarella was torn over the sauce, gently hitting the surface, Garlic Roulé was softly broken and strong Welsh Cheddar, grated until the fluffy ribbons finished the dressing of cheese. Juicy Picholine Olives were generously distributed as was final drizzle of olive oil and sliced, plump, vine tomatoes. The Pizzas were welcomed into the searing oven to crisp and the cheese allowed to bubble and smile to a glowing gold.
A salad of fresh rocket and baby spinach was spun with honey, balsamic vinegar and lemon. Another was casually arranged of torn Mozzarella, basil, vine tomatoes, olives, olive oil and black pepper.
Accompanying this I blended, briskly, a fresh, bright pesto of basil, ground cashews, olive oil and a pinch of salt and a light lemon mayonnaise.
I love playing with different pizza combinations, anchovies are a favourite of mine, spinach makes for a nice bit of green and blue cheese mixed with natural yoghurt adds a tantalising tang.
bightsbitesbytes 
