Family-Friendly Homemade Pizza Night

Introduction

Make pizza night an interactive and fun experience for the whole family! This recipe allows everyone to create their own personal pizza, choosing from a variety of toppings. Whether you're baking in the oven or grilling on the Arteflame, each family member can enjoy a personalized pizza made just the way they like it. It’s an easy and delicious way to bring everyone together!

Ingredients

For the Dough (makes 4 small pizzas):

3 1/2 cups (450g) all-purpose flour or 00 flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/4 cups (300ml) lukewarm water
1 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce:

1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Topping Ideas:

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup pepperoni slices
1/2 cup bell peppers, sliced
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
Fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup cooked sausage, crumbled
1/4 cup pineapple chunks (optional)
1/4 cup fresh spinach
Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the lukewarm water and yeast, letting it activate for about 5 minutes until frothy. Gradually pour the yeast mixture into the flour, mixing until a dough forms. Add the olive oil and knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

2. Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Set the sauce aside to let the flavors develop.

3. Preheat the Arteflame Grill

Light the grill and preheat for about 20 minutes, ensuring the grill is nice and hot. Once the grill is hot, move the charcoal / wood away from directly underneath the area where you're going to bake the pizza. This way the toppings bake at the same speed as the crust. Add the optional pizza grate and the pizza oven.

4. Divide the Dough

Once the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal portions. Each family member can stretch or roll their dough into personal-sized pizzas, about 8-10 inches in diameter. Make sure the dough is not too thick so it cooks evenly.

5. Set Up a Topping Station

Set up a topping station with bowls of prepared toppings, including cheese, pepperoni, veggies, and more. Let everyone spread a thin layer of sauce on their pizza dough, followed by their favorite toppings.

6. Cook the Pizzas

Place the pizzas in the pizza oven on the Arteflame and cook for 6-8 minutes, rotating halfway through for even cooking. The pizzas are ready when the crust is crispy and the cheese has melted.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Remove the pizzas from the oven or grill and let them cool slightly. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Slice and enjoy your customized pizzas with the whole family!

Tips

Customize It: Let everyone add their own toppings to make each pizza unique.
Stretch the Dough: For the best crust, stretch the dough by hand rather than using a rolling pin to keep it airy and light.
Cheese Mix: For extra flavor, use a blend of cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.

Variations

BBQ Chicken Pizza: Use BBQ sauce instead of tomato sauce and top with grilled chicken, red onions, and cilantro.
Veggie Pizza: Pile on fresh veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a vegetarian option.
Hawaiian Pizza: Add ham and pineapple for a sweet and savory combination.
White Pizza: Skip the tomato sauce and use a garlic and olive oil base, topped with ricotta and mozzarella.
Margherita Pizza: Keep it simple with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil for a classic pizza.