As I’ve mentioned in the previous post, there are four important elements for making pizza:- the pizza dough, the pizza sauce, the pizza cheese, and of course, the toppings.

Today I’m going to share with you the best pizza cheese in my opinion, and why it is my favourite.  There are of course many kinds of pizza cheese you can use, and mozzarella is traditionally the most popular going back through the ages, even right back to when pizza was first invented.

There Are Many Varieties Of Pizza Cheese…

I’m not just talking about the kinds of cheese that can be added as a topping in this case either, because really, any type of cheese that you can think of can be used to top a pizza, so long as it also works with the other toppings you’re using.  For example, goats cheese works really well on pizza with pieces of roasted pumpkin, caramelised onion, and spinach leaves, however spreading goats cheese over the entire pizza would overpower everything else (plus it’s really expensive!).

Nope, what I’m referring to is the kinds of pizza cheese that can be spread all over the base, and melt together with all your other beautifully fresh ingredients to create that creamy, gooey texture that just slides easily down your throat.

Some people like to make a blend of pizza cheese, combining mozzarella with tasty cheese.  This gives you a combination of the gooeyness of mozzarella, mixed in with a bit of tang and extra bite from the tasty cheese.

This can work really well, however the best pizza cheese in my humble opinion (and the only one I use these days), is called Caboolture cheese.  This is actually a kind of mozzarella, which goes through a process of stretching.  Technically speaking, it’s called a stretched mozzarella curd (just in case you can’t find Caboolture anywhere locally, now you know how to find a similar equivalent).

So Why Is It The Best Pizza Cheese?

Margherita Topped With The Best Pizza Cheese

It has a delicious flavour, and the small shredded balls of cheese actually spread quite widely across your pizza as it’s cooked, so you don’t really need to add a lot.  Of course, if you like cheesy pizzas, you can be as generous as you like and get more bang for your buck!

The best part about this cheese though, is that it doesn’t leave little pools of oil all over your pizza as it melts.  This is one of the things that your average pizza cheese will quite often do, and although it might help the pizza slide down your throat, what are the after-effects on your gut?

This is probably one of the biggest reasons that pizza from fast food joints have such a bad reputation.  Now you know that making your own pizza at home is not only a fun exercise, but it can also be a lot better for you by topping it with Caboolture, the best pizza cheese!

Mick Reade

All Easy Food Recipes

Lately you may have noticed that I’ve been doing quite a few posts on various pizza recipes, and there’s a very good reason for that.  For starters, working in a kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven leads me to nights of creativity and experimentation at times, which I find very enjoyable.

I also am planning something very exciting for you, my reader, to share all my knowledge and experience with you.  That’s all I can really say for now, there will be more updates when the time is right, but for now I just want to share with you a short article on why I think making pizza is fun…

Why Making Pizza Is Fun

Making Pizza Dough

Cooking in the kitchen can be fun! That is true regardless of what you’re making, and includes creating pizza. Creating a pizza from scratch can be especially enjoyable. These are a number of the benefits of using a specific pizza recipe to make a do-it-yourself pizza:

1. It’s Great Exercise

This is correct whether you are stirring tomato sauce ingredients, or working dough for the pizza crust. The physical effort required for cooking is often overlooked. That includes the process of making pizza. So if you’re looking for an effective way to get some exercise, you should try creating your own pizza rather than using the phone to get one delivered. The former task provides much more exercise than the latter one does. And since you will most likely aim to counter the calories consumed whilst ingesting your pizza, a superb way to do that is by burning some of them while making the pizza itself!

2. It Can Be An Activity To Share With Others

By all means, creating pizza might involve solely you. However it is much more enjoyable to share the experience. Whether you get help from your friends or relatives, each person may have a unique task that he or she should finish. And the combination of the various tasks ends up helping to make the perfect pizza. As well, by receiving help from friends or family you can share ideas about how to better the assorted elements of the pizza.

3. It Is Hands-On

Rolling Out Pizza Dough

Meals taste extra lovely when you feel the food whilst making it. Whether you’re shredding cheese, working balls of pizza dough, or stirring sauce – each of these processes are really tactile. Too frequently in today’s world we have become too used to consuming a meal that someone else has cooked. But by following a pizza recipe to bake your own pizza, you can have the benefit of a hands-on approach to the pizza’s creation. From the molding of the pizza base to the sprinkling of the cheese – engaging in these tactile processes makes for an exceptionally meaningful experience.

4. It Makes For A Unique Cooking Experience

Whilst there are other types of food that have several elements, there isn’t anything quite like making a pizza with a pizza recipe. Without a doubt, there’s no cooking experience in the world that comes close to making a pizza. For example, you should consider that there are four significant elements of pizza: The base, the sauce, the cheese, and the toppings. All of these elements makes for a large amount of possibilities. And as a consequence, every pizza that you cook can be a unique work of art.

5. It’s Cheap

One of the biggest benefits of making your own pizza is that the cost will most likely be much less expensive than buying a pizza. That’s because you won’t have to pay many of the costs linked to pizzas cooked at restaurants. That can include franchising costs, labor costs, and delivery costs. When the costs are lower, the pizza will taste more delicious!

Creating a pizza can absolutely be enjoyable. These aforementioned reasons are some of the most important ones. Even if you make a pizza without meatballs on it, you can have a ball making a pizza!

Are you searching for the finest pizza recipe in the history of the planet? There are tons of pizza chefs and eateries out there who maintain that they have the best pizza recipe. Making pizzas has a sense of alchemy about it for me, the way that you can easily turn simple flour and water with a bit of yeast into a pizza dough, and fits somewhere between an art and a science.

The Main Elements Of All The Best Pizzas…

Chicken And Rocket Pizza

The four “cornerstones” of a quality pizza are the pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Every one of these components are necessary for making the best pizza. However, arguably the greatest style is to make the pizza from the bottom-up. And that starts with the base of the pizza-the dough.

On one hand, pizza dough is easy to make. The ingredients are somewhat simple and effortless to find. They include: Flour, yeast, water, oil, and a little sugar. However, not all types of pizza dough are the same. The volume of every ingredient can fluctuate. The dough recipe may even have some secret ingredients included. In addition, the ingredients can be used to form pizza doughs of assorted thicknesses. This can go from a pizza recipe used for thin and crispy base, to deep-dish pizza.

When you make a pizza base from scratch, it’s important that all of the ingredients are as fresh as possible. In particular, it’s key that the yeast is as fresh as a sea breeze. If the yeast does not turn out to be bubbly after sitting for ten minutes (via the process of “proofing”), then that should tell you that it wasn’t fresh enough. You will need to throw out the yeast and begin again.

How Do You Like Your Pizza Base?

The “perfect” crust is dependent on each person’s opinion. In essence you will need to use a recipe that creates the finest base to your liking. Sure, you could make some adjustments if you’re not satisfied with the end result. But the essence of the recipe should remain the same. This will build the ideal foundation for the perfect pizza.

Luckily for you it’s easy to find a pizza recipe, via various online and offline sources. That means that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. There has already been tons of experimentation done by others to create a quality pizza base. All you need to do is search until you get the suited crust to your liking.

What Makes The Best Pizza Dough For A Pizza Base?

When creating pizza, flavour is what’s most important. Yes, it’s significant for there to be a balance of flavours-no individual element of the pizza should overpower the rest of the pizza. However, it’s also key that the pizza dough be flavorful.

An extra important aspect of better quality pizza dough is the texture. Look for pizza dough that produces crust with the perfect consistency. It should be crispy, but not have the texture of cardboard. It should also be chewy, but not have the texture of rubber.

Always approach making a pizza with the base in mind first. If you get the base dead on, then you’ve built a great foundation for your construction of the perfect pizza. The best pizza crust recipe is out there-you just have to find it!

Ingredients for Easy Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

1 pizza dough recipe
1 ts Olive oil
1/4 c Butter; melted
1/4 c Hot cayenne pepper sauce
2 c Diced cooked chicken; (about 250g)
1/2 c Chopped celery
1 c Crumbled blue cheese

Easy Buffalo Chicken Pizza Preparation

Preheat the oven to 250C.

Using your fingertips or the heel of your hand, spread the dough to cover the bottom of a 12 inch pizza pan that has been sprinkled with a little semolina to stop it from sticking.

Push the dough up to the edge of the pan, forming a rim. If the dough is too sticky, dust it and your hands lightly with flour. With a fork, prick the dough 15 to 20 times. Brush with the oil.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the butter and hot pepper sauce; mix well. Add the chicken and celery and toss to coat well. Spread evenly over the prepared base, then sprinkle with the blue cheese.

Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the pizza crust is crisp and brown. Cut and serve.

NOTE: Make sure you use hot cayenne pepper sauce and not hot pepper sauce – yes, there is a difference!

I don’t often eat a lot of vegetarian meals, but lately I’ve been more conscious of cutting back on my meat portions.  In doing so, I’ve found that it’s not always that easy to achieve.  I found this great recipe that is not only a tasty vegetarian option, it also has tons of nutritional benefits, with mushrooms to make up for the protein you would normally get from meat.

Spinach is also one of the best vegetables you can eat to get your daily dietary requirements of many vitamins and minerals (so Popeye was right all along!).  Enjoy…

Ingredients for Fresh Tomato, Spinach and Mushroom Pizza Recipe

Tomato, Mushroom And Spinach Pizza

150g Spinach
1 medium Plum Tomato
80g Mushrooms
1 tb Olive Oil
1 Pizza Base dough recipe
100g Mozzarella Cheese; Shredded (Caboolture cheese is best)
20g Caramelised Onions
1/2 ts Dried Oregano
1/2 ts Black Pepper

Fresh Tomato, Spinach and Mushroom Pizza Preparation

Preheat oven to 250C.  Preheat your pizza stone for at least 30 minutes prior to putting your pizza in the oven.

Wash and thinly slice spinach leaves. Cut tomatoes into 1/2cm thick slices; thinly slice mushrooms.

In a frying pan over medium heat, cook mushrooms in olive oil until tender.

Sprinkle the cheese over your pizza base. Top with sliced spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Sprinkle with onions, oregano, and pepper.

Sprinkle a little semolina on your pizza stone (or just use a piece of greaseproof paper) and place pizza on your pizza stone in oven for 7-10 minutes or until crust is golden.

Remove the pizza from the oven when cooked, cut into slices and serve.

Recently I made a cooking video teaching you an easy way to make pizza dough at home for yourself, now I show you how to finish the pizza off and cook it in the oven, again with the help of my friend Belinda.

There are some issues with the audio on this video, as it was recorded in the kitchen with a loud exhaust fan going, so I must apologise for that, but I hope you enjoy this pizza video we made for you anyway!

Wood-Fired Pizza Making Video

I would love to hear about your pizza making stories, tips, or any comments or thoughts you have on my pizza video.  And you can get yourself a free cookbook by visiting All Easy Food Recipes.

This short video will show you exactly how to cook the best pizzas in the world, at home, faster than you could get them delivered to your door!  Thanks to my friend Belinda for helping me put this together for you.  Enjoy

Easy Pizza Dough Recipe Video

Pizza Cookbook - How To Cook The Best Pizzas In The World... At Home!

You can easily make your own pizza at home, it takes less time than getting it delivered, plus you would have the added benefit of knowing that you’re using fresh and healthy ingredients to top your pizza.  Below is the recipe and method you will need in order to make the best pizzas at home!

And if you need any inspiration for pizza toppings, check out my new pizza cookbook, available right now on Kindle – How To Cook The Best Pizzas In The World… At Home!  It’s instantly downloadable, and pizza recipes include Greek Lamb, Peri Chicken, Tuna Mornay and Turkey And Cranberry, as well as delicious Dessert Pizza ideas for those with a sweet tooth!

Basic Pizza Dough Recipe Ingredients

1kg Baker’s flour (plain flour with a high protein level)

10g salt

10g sugar

20g dry yeast (or 40g fresh yeast)

660ml cold water

Wood-Fired Pizza Dough Recipe Ingredients

Wood-Fired Pizzas

600g Strong baker’s flour

400g Semolina flour

10ml extra virgin olive oil

10g salt

10g sugar

20g dry yeast

650ml water

Will make 7 x 12” pizzas (225g each), or 8 x 10” pizzas (200g each)

Pizza Making Method

How To Make Pizza Dough By Hand:

Making Pizza Dough

This easy pizza dough recipe should only take you about 10 minutes to make, plus you will need to allow about 10 minutes on top of that for time to rest the dough.

Mix all the dry ingredients together, and create a well in the centre.

1. Carefully pour 600ml of water into the well and gradually incorporate the wet and dry ingredients by slowly bringing the flour into the water in the centre.
2. Add the remaining water if necessary, depending on how dry the mixture is (it’s best to start with a little water and only add more if needed).
3. Knead the dough, by pressing down with the palms and heel of your hands away from your body, and then turning the ball of pizza dough after every pass.  (If the dough is too large to manage, break it down into two even batches).
4. Continue kneading until you have a smooth ball of dough to work with – this should take roughly 10 minutes of kneading.  (You should be able to pull a piece of the dough out and stretch it quite thin, until it becomes translucent when held up to the light.  This is when you know the pizza dough is ready.)

How To Make Pizza Dough Balls:

Pizza Dough Balls

1. Divide the pizza dough into balls of the desired weight – for 12” pizzas they need to be 225g (7), for 10” pizzas you’ll want it to be about 200g (8).
2. Create round balls by taking each piece of dough in your hands, push your two thumbs into the centre and at the same time stretch the outside around it.
3. Turn the dough halfway around, and repeat this process 3 or 4 times till you have a round ball with a smooth skin.
4. Lightly dust your work bench with flour, and place the dough ball on the bench with the flatter side down and the roundest part facing up.
5. Cover your dough balls with a damp tea towel or cloth to prevent a tough skin from forming.
6. Let the pizza dough balls rest for about 10 to 15 minutes under the tea towel.  This will make it much easier to roll out the balls later and help it hold its shape.  If you don’t allow it to rest long enough it can result in serious shrinkage of the pizza dough after it has been rolled out.

Preparing Your Pizza Bases:

Pizza Base

1. Take your pizza dough ball and place it on a lightly floured section of your bench.
2. With the palm of your hand, press down into the middle slightly, turning the ball a couple of times as you do this – this should flatten the ball while beginning the round shape you want to achieve.
3. Take your rolling pin, starting at the centre of the pizza dough and push out towards the edges.
4. Turn the dough as you do this, to keep your pizza as round as possible.  At this point, your main aim is to push any air bubbles out of the dough.  If you just push the rolling pin back and forth, the air bubbles may remain in your dough and it will not cook evenly in the oven.  Instead you’ll most likely have bubbles rise while the pizza is in the oven, and push any toppings off to the side as well.

How To Cook The Best Pizzas In The World… At Home!

Pizza Cookbook - How To Cook The Best Pizzas In The World... At Home!

You can now get your hands on my brand new Pizza Cookbook, “How To Cook The Best Pizzas In The World… At Home!“

This pizza cookbook is full of my very own inspired creations that you can easily make at home to impress your friends and family!

This is a physical cookbook (not one of those digitally downloadable ones), so you’ll be able to flick through the pages and sit it right next to you as you work through each recipe.

However, if you prefer a digital ebook (and instant access!), you can also get the Kindle version of How To Cook The Best Pizzas In The World… At Home!

I’m not entirely sure why this is called Idiot Bread Pizza, maybe because it’s so easy to make that anyone can do it… anyway, enjoy!

Recipe Serves: 1

Ingredients for Idiot Bread Pizza Recipe

Idiot Bread Pizza

Pizza Dough:—–
1 pk Yeast
1 tb Sugar
4 c Flour
2 c Hot water
1 ts Salt
Pizza Topping:—–
1-1/2 pt Tomato (pizza) sauce
12 oz Mozzarella cheese
1 lb Hamburger
Or sausage or pepper

Idiot Bread Pizza Preparation

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt and flour.

Mix well with spoon and spread in two greased 9×13 pans. Let rise for one hour.

Spread about 1 1/2 pints of your favourite tomato (pizza) sauce on top. Add 12 ounce shredded Mozzarella cheese and one pound cooked hamburger (or sausage or pepperoni).

Put pizza in oven preheated to 500F (as hot as you can possibly get it); reduce heat immediately to 400F and bake 35 minutes or until cheese is melted.

For more easy recipes for free just like this, visit www.alleasyfoodrecipes.com to download your FREE cookbook!

Curried Beef Calzones Recipe Preparation: cooking and baking

Recipe Serves: 4

Ingredients for Curried Beef Calzones Recipe

Curried Beef Calzone

3/4 lb Lean or regular ground beef
1/8 c Shredded carrot (about 1/2 large)
1 sm Onion; chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 c Raisins
1 ts Curry powder
1/4 ts Salt; if desired
1/4 ts Ground cumin
1 cn (8-oz) tomato sauce
3 c Bisquick original baking mix
2/3 c Boiling water

Curried Beef Calzones Recipe Preparation

Cook ground beef in 10-inch skillet, stirring frequently, until brown; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients except baking mix and boiling water. Heat to boiling; reduce heat.

Simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Heat oven to 400F. Grease cookie sheet.

Mix baking mix and boiling water; beat vigorously 20 seconds. Turn dough onto surface dusted with baking mix; gently roll in baking mix to coat.

Shape into ball; knead about 60 times or until smooth and no longer sticky. Divide dough into 4 balls. Pat each ball into 7-inch circle. Place on cookie sheet.

Spoon about 1/2 cup beef mixture onto half of each circle. Moisten edge of circle. Fold circle over beef mixture; press edge with fork to seal. Cut 2 small slits in top of each crust.

Bake about 25 minutes or until the curried beef calzones turn golden brown.

Makes 4 servings.

Get yourself a free cookbook full of easy food recipes at www.alleasyfoodrecipes.com!

Mick Reade

All Easy Food Recipes