[recipes] 5 Fuss-Free Homemade Pizza Using Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus

Fuss-Free Homemade Pizza using Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus

Have you ever tried making pizza at home where you could add in your favourite toppings like more cheese, ham, mushroom and etc. Or you just prefer to pick up the phone and dial for a home delivery to save the hassle on preparing the necessary ingredients or time spent in the kitchen.

For our family, we prefer to make our own pizza at home because we love to work on the dough as well as the ingredients. Furthermore homemade pizza smells fantastic when they are baking in the oven and we after which we get to eat hot and fresh pizza with oozing cheese when compare to those home delivered pizza.

Ingredients for Homemade Pizza

Here are some of our tips on how to prepare 5 different types of fuss-free mouth-watering homemade pizza using:-

1. Healthy Wholemeal Sandwich Bread;
2. Baguette;
3. Wholemeal Wrap;
4. Ciabatta Bread;
5. Non-Bread Crust (using firm tofu / zucchini / mushroom);

OR if you still prefer the traditional bread-like pizza crust, you could also refer to our "foolproof pizza dough" recipe below.

(Yield: two 8" pizza | Preparation: 10 minutes | Standing Time: 60 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 500g Bread Flour
• 7g Instant Dry Yeast
• 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1/2 Tablespoon Caster Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 300ml Lukewarm Water

Method:
1. In a measuring jug; mix yeast, sugar and olive oil together with 300ml lukewarm water. Set aside for 5 minutes.

2. Sieve flour and salt into a stand mixer bowl, attach the dough hook, set machine on low speed and gradually add in the yeast mixture and mix till it form a dough. Increase the speed and continue to mix till it forms smooth and elastic dough (5 - 7 minutes).

3. Place dough in a large oiled bowl, cover and set aside in a warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

4. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, using your fist to punch out the air and knead dough for 30 seconds or until smooth.

5. Divide dough into two portions then roll each portion to form a 8" (20cm) round pizza base.

Note:
~ Dough can be wrapped in clingfilm and keep in the fridge (or freezer) until required.

~ For Hand Knead: Sieve flour and salt on a clean work surface, make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture. Slowly work in the flour to the yeast mixture till it forms soft dough then knead until you have smooth and springy dough.

[Perfect Italiano] Range of Pizza Cheese

After selecting the pizza base and toppings, now let's take a look at the range of cheese which plays an important role to enhance the flavour of our homemade pizza.

- Mozzarella: It has a mild flavour that melts beautifully after baked which enables you to enjoy that traditional stretch.

- Perfect Bakes: A full-flavoured Cheddar blend with a little Mozzarella for stretch and Parmesan for bite which make it perfect for some Italian inspired bake dishes such as pasta, vegetables or lasagne giving it a perfect golden crust.

- Pizza Plus: A special blend of Mozzarella, Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses that melts and stretches to perfection. Furthermore the cheese won't go oily in order to ensure delicious and authentic pizza every time.

HAM AND MUSHROOM OR TOMATO BASIL PIZZA TOAST
(using wholemeal sandwich bread and Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus)

Ham and Mushroom plus Tomato and Basil Pizza Toast

How about preparing this cafe-style pizza toast for your loved one as breakfast or after school tea-snack? Trust me this is so simple that you can easily prepare and serve in less than 10 minutes using a oven toaster or even air-fryer. Simply grab any sandwich bread available in your pantry, spread it with some pasta / tomato / bbq sauce, scatter some shredded cheese and toppings then off it goes into the toaster.   

Ingredients for Pizza Toast

(Yield: 2 | Preparation: 5 minutes | Baking: 5 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 2 Slices of Wholemeal Sandwich Bread
• 30g Of Shaved Ham, roughly tear
• 100g Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus
• 1 - 2 Brown Button Mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 Tablespoons of Tomato Base Pasta Sauce

Garnish:

• Dried Parsley And Chilli Flakes
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps on preparing the Pizza Toast

Method:-
1. Lightly toast the wholemeal bread on both side for about 1 - 2 minutes in an toaster oven (or pop them into preheated 200°C / 392°F oven) till slightly crisp.

2. Remove, spread a thin layer of tomato pasta sauce then top it evenly with half the amount of the Pizza Plus cheese.

3. Arrange shaved ham and mushroom on it then follow by another layer of Pizza Plus cheese.

4. Pop the prepared pizza back into the toaster oven (or preheated oven) and bake for another 3 minutes or till cheese melted and turn slightly golden brown in colour.

5. Serve it with some garnishing of your choice and enjoy it while hot.

BACON AND EGG PIZZA
(using wholemeal wrap and Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus)

Bacon and Egg Pizza

If you love "Thin Crust" pizza, I am sure you would love this! Just pick up your choice of wraps (plain, wholemeal or etc) which available in the supermarkets. Before you start anything remember to pre-bake the wrap for at least a minute or two (on both side) to get a slightly crisp texture. In this way the crust would still remain crispy after baking it with the sauce and toppings. 

Ingredients for Bacon and Egg Pizza

(Yield: 2  | Preparation: 5 minutes | Baking: 8 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 1 Piece of Wholemeal Wrap
• 100g Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus
• 1 Egg
• 2 Low Salt Streaky Bacon Rashers, cut into half lengthwise
• 4 Broccoli Florets, cut into smaller pieces
• Some Cherry Tomato (optional), halved
• 2 Tablespoons of Tomato Base Pasta Sauce

Garnish:

• Dried Parsley And Chilli Flakes
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Method:-
1. Lightly baked the wrap for about 1 minute on each side in an toaster oven (or pop it into a preheated 200°C / 392°F oven) till slightly crisp.

2. Remove and spread a thin layer of tomato pasta sauce on the wrap leaving a 1cm allowance on the sides then top with half the amount of Pizza Plus cheese.

3. Arrange bacon, broccoli and tomato (if using) on it then follow by another layer of Pizza Plus cheese.

4. Make an indent in the centre, crack in the egg then pop the prepared pizza back into the oven (oven toaster) and bake for another 5 minutes till cheese melted and turn slightly golden brown in colour.

Bacon and Egg Pizza

5. Serve it with some garnishing of your choice and enjoy it while hot.

AVOCADO CHICKEN PIZZA
(using baguette and Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus)

Avocado Chicken Pizza

I am a huge fan of avocado who loves to add this superfood into my daily diet. So even when it comes to pizza I love to pair it with chicken to make Avocado Chicken Pizza. The ingredients are rather simple; you could use some leftover poached or roasted chicken (shredded or cubed) from previous night dinner to reduce the baking time. As for the avocado, just mashed it with some seasonings and used as spread for the pizza base (instead of tomato sauce) or sliced/cubed them for toppings.

Ingredients for Avocado Chicken Pizza

(Yield: 2  | Preparation: 5 minutes | Baking: 8 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 6 Slices of Baguette
• 100g Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus
• 100g Chicken Fillet, sliced
• 1 Avocado, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Moroccan Seasoning
• Capsicum, sliced
• 2 Tablespoons of Tomato Base Pasta Sauce

Garnish:

• Dried Parsley And Chilli Flakes
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps on preparing Avocado Chicken Pizza

Method:
1. Lightly toast baguette on both side for about 1 minute in the preheated 200°C / 392°F oven (oven toaster) until slightly crisp.

2. Remove and spread a thin layer of tomato pasta sauce, scatter some Pizza Plus cheese.

3. Layer it with marinated chicken fillet, capsicum, avocado and cheese then pop them back into the oven (oven toaster) and bake for another 6 - 8 minutes till chicken is cooked through, cheese melted and turn slightly golden brown in colour.

Note:
~ Marinate chicken fillet with 1/2 teaspoon of Moroccan Seasoning (available in the supermarkets under spices section) or Cayenne Pepper for at least 15 minutes.

~ If you have time you could also sealed the marinate3d chicken fillet in a preheated pan till cook and add in together with the rest of the toppings mentioned above. Pop the prepared pizza into the oven for about 2 - 3 minutes till cheese melted and slightly browned in colour.

- Instead of tapas serving size (shown above), slice baguette into halved lengthwise then follow by side-wise to make 4 servings.

TUNA AND EGG PIZZA
(using Ciabatta and Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus)

Tuna And Egg Pizza

Our family loves ciabatta and I often use it to make tuna or egg mayo sandwich for breakfast or lunch. And on days when I am too lazy to prepare fresh pizza dough I would use ciabatta as a replacement because I feel it has a closer texture when compared to the usual pizza crust. Here using our favourite Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus and Ciabatta I replicated this Tuna Nicoise Pizza  using canned tuna, hard-boiled egg, onion, tomato and capsicum.

Ingredients for Tuna and Egg Pizza

(Yield: 2  | Preparation: 5 minutes | Baking: 8 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 2 Pieces of Ciabatta, halved lengthwise
• 200g Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus
• Tuna in Springwater, drained and flaked
• 1 Hard-boiled Egg, quartered
• 1 Small Red Onion, cut into thin wedges
• 2 Tablespoons of Tomato Base Pasta Sauce
• 4 Cherry Tomato, halved
• 1/4 Green Capsicum, cut into strips

Garnish:

• Dried Parsley And Chilli Flakes
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps on preparing the Tuna and Egg Pizza

Method:
1. Lightly toast ciabatta on both side for about 1 minute in the oven toaster (or pop it into a preheated 200°C / 392°F oven) till slightly crisp.

2. Remove and spread a thin layer of tomato pasta sauce, scatter the top with half the amount of Pizza Plus cheese.

3. Top bread with tuna, onion, hard-boiled egg, green capsicum and tomato then pop them back into the oven (oven toaster) and bake for another 5 minutes till cheese melted and turn slightly golden brown in colour.

ZUCCHINI PIAZZA
(using zucchini and Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus)

Zucchini Pizza with Pepperoni

Are you looking for some low carbs pizza ideas, perhaps you might like to try these Zucchini Pizza which makes a great finger food to pass around the dining table. Plus the mini pepperoni also adds extra flavour to the veggie crust and for a chance you can also swap zucchini with pumpkin or firm tofu as substitution too.

Ingredients for Zucchini Pizza

(Yield: 2  | Preparation: 5 minutes | Baking: 8 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 1 Medium Zucchini, sliced into 0.5cm thick
• 100g Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus
• 10 Mini Pepperoni
• 2 Tablespoons of Tomato Base Pasta Sauce

Garnish:

• Dried Parsley And Chilli Flakes
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps on preparing Zucchini Pizza

Method:
1. Place zucchini rounds onto baking tray line with baking paper or aluminium foil. Top each zucchini paste sauce, cheese and a slice of pepperoni.

Baking the Zucchini Pizza in Oven Toaster

2. Place into oven toaster and bake for about 2 minutes or until cheese melted and turn slightly golden brown in colour. Remove and serve immediately.

Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus

Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus is a delicious blend of three quality cheese such as Mozzarella (for stretch), Cheddar (for flavour) and Parmesan (for bite) which is a good pick for making homemade pizza. You can easily grab a pack (2 different sizes such as 250g or 450g) in any of the local supermarkets to try out the recipes above or  for more recipe ideas you could also refer to Perfect Italiano website @ www.perfectitaliano.com.sg\recipes.

Disclaimer: This post is brought to you in partnership with Nuffnang and Perfect Italiano.