I’m fortunate enough to consider cooking as a great fun pastime, and now, my full-time career. I’m so lucky to be doing what I am doing now, and I enjoy every day. I know not everyone feels the same way about food, and know that some older relatives found cooking as a chore: getting another meal on the table, day in, day out.
Most people I know though love cooking for friends, even if they don’t enjoy day to day catering so much, and I am no exception. I think when cooking for friends, playing it safe is always the way to go – simple, delicious food you know everyone will love. I really don’t buy in to cooking fancy dishes to impress. Cook something simple really well, using lovely ingredients, and that will be impressive in itself.
And that’s why, as my friends will testify, I often make pizzas. Easy to put together after work, and perfect with a glass of wine. Home made pizza is so much better than bought, and you can vary the toppings to suit your guests tastes.
The recipe I most often use is this one. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have made it. Good quality flour makes all the difference, too. I use Stoate’s stoneground flour, which is locally milled in Dorset. It adds a real depth of flavour to the base.
Don’t be scared of making dough either. Just make sure you add warm water to the dough and leave it in a nice warm place to rise, it will work. Do give it a try.
We love pizza in our house. Dancing on Ice (or similar) + picnic blanket on living room floor+pizza = top evening x
Sounds like brilliant fun, Urvashi! x
Absolutely! We love Pizza here, it often features at lunch time on Saturdays. When my sons were younger I always baked Pizza for sleepovers, it was always gobbled by the hordes of hungry boys! Jude x
It’s always a winner isn’t it, Jude! x
I adore pizza and like you, even though I am often cooking and writing as part of my job, I STILL love making food for friends and family! This pizza looks amazing and I LOVE the toppings too……
Thanks Karen. It’s really tasty. Even hardened meat-eaters love it. Thank you Nigel Slater! x
Your pizza looks great. I’ve only recently stopped buying store bought bases. No going back!
By the way, what cheese do you use?
Thanks, I agree! I use crème fraîche spread over the base instead of tomato, and then mozzarella and parmesan cheeses for the topping. It really works so well (basically I follow Nigel Slater’s recipe from the link I have included exactly.) I have experimented, and it is the best!
Excellent – thanks for sharing. I haven’t been able to get the cheese combo right. Love the look of your mushroom pizza. If only i hadn’t already had dinner!
No worries! You can bookmark this one for next time!
P.S. The parmesan is, in my opinion, essential. I have tried substituting it for other cheeses, and none are quite as good
Always have plenty of parmesan in the fridge, including the rinds which i keep for winter casseroles and ragu!
Excellent planning!