Tray-bake pizza

This is a big Saturday night tray-bake pizza and an absolute fav. There is nothing authentic or Italian about this pizza base! But it’s massive, wholesome, hearty, comforting and wheat-free.

For the pizza base you need:

500g spelt flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 sachet quick action yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
300ml hand hot water
1 tablespoon olive oil

Toppings:

300g tomato passata, tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, or tinned chopped tomatoes (strained)
1 small butternut squash, cut into slices and roasted for 30 mins
1 red pepper, finely sliced
A handful of sundried tomatoes
100g smoked ham or pancetta finely diced
150g grated cheese

Adding the toppings

Method:

In a big bowl mix the flour, salt, sugar and yeast.

Add the oil to the water and gradually mix into the flour,  bringing the dough together first with a spoon then get stuck in with your hands.

Once the rough dough is a lumpy ball take it out of the bowl and begin to knead on the worktop for about 10 mins until it feels smooth and stretchy.

Pop it back into the bowl and cover with a tea towel or cling film and leave it somewhere warm to rise for about an hour. In this time it should double in size.

Heat your oven to 200 C. Lightly oil a large baking or roasting tray.

After 1 hour, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll out the dough to roughly the size of your tray, then gently transfer the dough into the tray. Now stretch it out with your hands to fill the whole tray.  If you’ve got time leave it to rise again for another 20 minutes, if not press on with topping your pizza.

Cover the base with the tomatoes – use whatever you’ve got to hand. Then add your toppings. Again use whatever you fancy – but our favourite is: roasted butternut squash, red pepper, smoked ham and a strong vintage cheddar. Season with salt, black pepper, chilli flakes and a sprinkle of herbs – dried oregano or rosemary work great with the butternut squash.

Bake in a preheated oven for 20- 35 minutes.

The best bit!

Top with fresh herbs and salad leaves and serve with home-made, spicy oven chips and lots of dips. Enjoy in front of the TV as that’s what Saturday nights are made for!