“Mamma Mia… here I go again! My, my, how can I resist you?
Mamma Mia, does it show again? My, my just how much I missed you!
Yeeeees I’ve been broken heart-“ – Oops… I seem to have gone a little of track there! Sorry, was not talking about the hit ABBA song when I said Mamma Mia!
Rather, I was twirling a fake Italian moustache while patting my large stomach hiding under a big, red and white checked cloth. You get my image no? No? Oh that’s good because I really don’t look like that… 😉
(Also sorry you had to hear that high pitched, awful ‘Yeees’ 😛 – not everyone can pull it off you know!)
But back to it, why was I unsuccessfully trying to twirl dough and flip it to high heaven when I can’t even do it with a basketball? Because when you are making pizza that is just what you do!
Every amateur, professional or first timer like myself knows that 😀
I imagined myself there, the scent of freshly brewed espresso filling my nostrils from next door, as customer after customer gulped it down, not getting even a drop on those Giorgio Brutini suits. There I was, in a small homely kitchen with a wood fired pizza oven, sweating slightly as I swore every time the heat blasted out at me on collecting the pizza.
Aaaah the smell. Aaaah the ambience. Ahhh the look of delight on each customer’s face as they took that first bite into each, cheesy, deliciously doughy piece of heaven.
Handmada pizza from scratch.
Put that love in the dough, in the sauce and when you are sprinkling those ingredients on top, sprinkle some love too.
My changes are in bold 🙂
Utterly Homemade Pizza
Source: Mastering The Art Of Baking
Ingredients:
Dough:
- Large pinch of caster sugar
- 250ml lukewarm water
- 7g dried yeast
- 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 350g plain flour
- 1 ½ tsp salt
Tomato Sauce:
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 3 tbs – ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 small brown red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbs concentrated tomato puree (tomato paste)
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes (mine were not chopped but you can mush them up easily in the sauce they are so soft)
- · Small handful of basil leaves 1-2 tsp Italian herbs (mixed)
- · 1 ½ tsp salt
- · Sprinkle of pepper
Book Topping:
- 300g mozzarella cheese
- 200g Italian style salami
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 50g rocket leaves
My Topping (better :P)
- 200g mixed pizza cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella, cheddar by Perfect Italiano = Best!)
- 200g Danish feta (mine turned out to be quite a salty feta so taste it before you add it – if it is too salty, add maybe 125-150g worth on the pizza)
- 200g cherry tomatoes, washed and halved
- 5-6 large slivers of sundried tomatoes
- 1 super large capsicum, cubed
- Mixed Italian herbs
- 50g rocket, washed and dried completely (water and cheese = NO!)
Method:
Dough:
- Combine sugar and 125ml water in a bowl
- Sprinkle over the yeast and set aside for 7-8 minutes or until foamy
- Stir in oil and remaining water
- Add in flour and salt and then use your hands to mix it into a course dough
- Turn onto a lightly floured work surface (flour hands) and knead for 8 minutes or till elastic
- Transfer to a large, well-oiled bowl, turning it to coat in oil
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught free place for 1 hour or until doubled in size
Tomato Sauce:
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat
- Add onions and cook stirring often for 5-6 minutes or till softened
- Add the tomato paste (it may hiss!) and stir for 1 minute
- Add in the canned tomatoes and reduce heat to low
- Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes or until thickened slightly (mash the tomatoes with the back of the spoon if they are not cut up)
- While cooking, stir through salt, pepper and parmesan and stir until mixed through thoroughly and parmesan has melted into the sauce
- Cool then stir through mixed herbs
Assemble:
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees C
- Knock back the dough with just one punch and then turn onto a lightly floured surface
- Divide into 4 equal portions (I did mine in 2)
- Roll each portion into a bowl and working with one at a time, use a rolling pin to roll out in a 22cm diameter
- Transfer to a well oiled baking tray (Be careful lifting it since it will be thin, it could rip easily)
- Divide the tomato sauce between the pizzas, leaving a 1cm border
- Book Topping: Scatter the thinly sliced mozzarella, salami and tomatoes over the pizzas
- My Topping: Scatter over the capsicum, feta and cherry tomatoes. Using your hands, cut slivers from the sundried tomatoes and place all over the pizzas. Generously top with pizza cheese (but do not completely cover the pizza toppings)
- Bake each pizza for 12-15 minutes (mine took 8-9 minutes!) or until dough is gold and sauce is slightly bubbling on the edges
- Serve immediately, garnished with rocket
I would just like to say to you all that my senior year has also officially started so please do not miss me if I am a little MIA 😉
Business before pleasure right (whoever came up with that, DAMN YOU!)
You’re so funny CC Uru!
This pizza looks delicious!!!! And homemade is always better in my book! YUM.
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Absolutely yummy!
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I’ve never tried flinging pizza dough into the air (mostly because my kitchen ceiling is low) but this post is making me want to! Your sauce & toppings on that golden crust… Mamma Mia indeed! Best wishes on your senior year, Uru!
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Oh my gosh, is there anything better than a homemade pizza? This looks so delicious and perfect for the energy to put your nose to the school grindstone, so to speak 🙂
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Mamma Mia is correct. This pizza LOOKS AMAZING! I definitely have to try my hand at making my own pizza.
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Now that looks great! My husband was begging for some homemade pizza yesterday so I whipped up my white pizza (no tomato sauce). It was a great dinner but now I’ve got plenty for lunches. I’ve never tried feta on mine, but that’s a great idea.
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YUMMY!!!
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I’m not sure there is anything better than homemade pizza!
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U got my attention with ABBA’s song, sweetie! 5-star for this pizza!!
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pizza looks fantastic. haven’t ever made pizza from scratch, i need to.
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Good job with the pizza. You are such an accomplished young person in the kitchen. I could do nothing practically at your age. 😉 I was not allowed to play in the kitchen. Only later in life did I find my vocation. I tried physiotherapy….ugh!
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Wow great job!! You inspired us to make pizza today 🙂 yum yum yum!
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oh boy! Amazing job!! No pizzas taste better than home-made FRESH pizzas!! So delicious and tempting!!
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I could eat pizza everyday for the rest of my life. Have you ever put a runny egg on top? Sooooo good!
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Uru I wouldn’t even try to resist, just look at the beauty you created and baked! drooooool!!!
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Getting tempted just by looking at the wonderful pics, perfect & delicious pizza!
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You had me at feta. My favorite cheese. We just bought several chubs of the best feta and ate it over two months. I’m sure my cholesterol must have gone up a notch or two. Great pics. Looks fabulous.
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This looks phenomenal! So, so good! Nothing beats homemade pizza 🙂
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Oh wow…these pizzas look fantastic! I would love a slice right now!
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Whata vibrant and energetic post! Loved it. Maybe I should try making my own pizza base, I haven’t done that for years! Your pizza looks delicious! All the best with your final year at school xx
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Looks SO good! I love homemade pizza and yours look perfect!
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Welcome to the pizza party. I’ve been cooking up some varieties of these delicious pies all week. From basic margherita to Banana Cinnamon Breakfast pizza. The final two will be posted Saturday.
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Now I’m singing and craving pizza! Thank you for sharing…and for your kind and generous words. I hope you have a beautiful weekend with good food and friends.
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uru! this pizza looks incredible…i make my own pizza sauce too and just the same way as you. it’s so much better than the store bought stuff…
good luck in your senior year 🙂
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What an incredible looking pizza and I bet the house smelled great as you were baking it. YUM.
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Oh wow and oh yum! Homemade pizza is a favourite of mine and I love making them and eating them. Yours looks truly delicious and amazeball’s!
Thank goodness it’s cooled down slightly and it’s baking time again in Sydney too 🙂
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With feta and sun dried tomatoes it´s a perfect pizza! Well done your first time Uru!
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That pizza looks and sounds delicious!
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Mamma Mia is right! What a great looking pizza! I’d love to have this in front of me right now.
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Yum! Your pizza looks great 😀 So when are we all coming over for some? 😉
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PIZZA PARTY 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Mama Mia amazing! I am craving pizza now. Looks over the top delicious!
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Wow what a nice pizza! I love the arugula topping!
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Oh, gosh, I want your pizza! Love all the veggies and cheese…so yummy!!!
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You must have been reading my mind. This week I am craving for pizza but I was not in a mood to make it. But now looking at your flavorful,scrumptious summer type pizza with arugula, feta and sun dried tomato i have changed my mind. It will be pizza night tomorrow.
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That looks delicious, CCU!
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I have never made home made pizza dough before, but I sure want to try it now. Your pizza is amazing. Great job, MIA;)
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I have never made home made pizza dough before, but I sure want to now. Your pizza is amazing. Good job, MIA:)
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Oh my gosh, your pizza looks amazing. I’ve been reading pizza dough recipes lately and I’m thinking about trying one. I’ve never made pizza dough before, but I can’t wait to try!
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Oh, that pizza–it looks delicious. Making homemade crust is on my to-try list for this year. Love the opening paragraph of this post!
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I’m afraid my dough won’t rise, that’s been my fear…but I really, REALLY, want to make pizza from scratch one day! This looks scrumptious Uru!
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Nami, buy one of those 3 packets of dried yeast. Make sure the expiry date has not been reached and go for it. 🙂
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What a great flavor combination. I love it!
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Pizza is my favourite Sunday night meal! I love the way you prepared your dough from scratch (like a true Italian lady!!). I am lazy and do not cook the tomatoes before adding them to the base (I use passata which is sweeter and I get away with it!!) Rocket e salami is my favourite but the feta cheese sounds D E L I C I O U S. Brava
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Haha coming from you, this is praise indeed – thank you 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Oh gosh that looks gooey and delish, CCU!
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Perfect pizza! I love Danish feta 🙂
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Congratulations Uru, your pizza really looks like an Italian one, trust me!
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Oh goodness Uru I am craving pizza so badly now!
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I love pizza and this looks deliciously yummy! Well done.
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Absolutely divine pizza!!!! Aaaahhh…! You make me want to abandon my no-carb diet for now! Oh well, just a few more days / weeks of no carbs, and I will be back to indulge in yummy things like this in no time! Ahem, of course, in moderation! Pizza heaven…!
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Yum, I’m not a pizza lover. But homemade pizza and woodfired pizzas are the only I’ll eat. I love adding on all my fav toppings- vegie galore for me 😉
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You could put a pizza in front of me anytime and I’d gobble it up. Any kind, all day long!! 🙂
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That looks like one killer pizza my friend! Smart topping swap-outs, your version really does sound much better. Extra veggies for the win!
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That pizza is delicious, Love to have piece , if add little pineapple pieces it is going to be yumm.
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CCU, what will water do to cheese? There’s nothing tastier than a vegetarian pizza.
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Oh, Yeahhhh Baaaaaaaaaby!
I want some right this minute, Choc. Xxxxxx
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Homemade pizza is such fun to make. Best of all, you can really top it the way you like it. About that tossing and twirling thing, though? Let’s just say I’ll only do it when the floor is freshly scrubbed. 😉 Fun post – thanks.
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Colorful pizzas always look delicious!
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Yummo – there’s nothing like the smell of home baked pizza. Did you see the ABBA documentary on the ABC last night? Lots of fun.
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Homemade pizza is the BEST!
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Mmmm looks delicious. Love the combination of cheeses!
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Now I am craving pizza soooo bad as I have a fridge full of fresh food…ugh…my bad and have a song stuck in my head…thank you so much for your recipe…have to find a place to get caster sugar.
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Was it weird that I almost burst out singing as I read your post? Now I have ABBA stuck in my head arghh. This pizza looks absolutely lovely though – totally worth singing Mamma Mia all day to myself 😉
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Definitely not weird, I was humming all while writing 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I really love the add of feta! The pizza looks fantastic.
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yay for pizza! This looks great. Love the toppings!
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Fresh homemade pizza is absolutely the best!
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Tasty looking pizza, all the best in your senior year, I am sure you will do very well.
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You really had me going there … I could picture you (sans mustache) twirling your pizza dough before building your pizza and baking it. All the ingredients look really tasty … I like Macedonian feta since it’s fairly inexpensive at the city market and not overly salty especially if crumbled and sprinkled over the pizza. I also thought the addition of rocket (arugula) was a great idea. Made it easier to pretend the pizza was healthy. 🙂
You’ve got a pretty efficient oven if it can bake the pizza thoroughly in 8-9 minutes at 350 deg F. 🙂 I’ve been tempted by perforated pizza pans like yours but sticking to my old black pan.
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I’m obsessed with homemade pizza-yours looks delicious!!!
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OHHH my gosh, I officially need pizza…right now.
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Looks very tasty CCU. This post of How-To was great. I think I am going to go and get a pizza. 🙂
How was your trip to India by the way?
Thanks for sharing. As always I appreciate your comments and readership at Savor the Food.
Chef Randall
savorthefood.wordpress.com
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My trip was brilliant thank you 😀
And I am glad you enjoyed this pizza!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I love all of your Corelle plates, have I said that before 🙂 The pizza looks so delicious, one of my favorite foods ever.
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lol, I love the vivid pictures you paint with your words, Uru. I wish I was in Italy, sipping espresso and eating fresh wood-fired pizza. And of course you need to twirl the dough when you make pizza! Regardless of whether it falls on the floor (which it would for me). This looks wonderful – I love fresh homemade pizza.
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I love homemade pizza, and yours looks delicious!! Danish feta, yum!!
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Homemade pizza is always a hit at our house! I like the idea of using Feta and will try that next time, XOXO
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This homemade pizza is amazing, and you are awesome for risking life, limb and blasts from the oven to make it for everyone! 🙂 I have multiple oven burns from this sort of feverish oven activity, it’s a dangerous business being a food blogger. 😉
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What an awesome looking pizza Uru!! Mnnnnnnn!!!
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Mama Mia… I want some!!! I love your dough.. I have yet to make any from scratch. How is it that you are almost 1/3 of my age and I’m still afraid of yeast and dough making??? I need to just do it!!
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If it wasn’t for my bread hook on my mixer, I wouldn’t be able to make pizza dough. Definitely can’t throw it! But I do love it so, and your pie is a masterpiece!
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I love pizza & the fresher the better ~ Yours looks amazing!!!
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Your crust looks great, your pizza looks wonderful. Homemade beats all others hands down in my book!
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Great looking pizza Uru!
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I love pizza.
I suggest you use honey instead of sugar so the yeast works best.
If you want here’s my recipe for pizza that gave me a master pizzaiolo
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Thank you for the tip 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Thats a beautiful pizza!! I love the toppings, very well done. Who can resist pizza, it’s the ultimate comfort food!
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Total Yumminess!
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Uru, you’re so good …. your passion is out of this world. I do home made pizzas, from a bought frozen pizza with mozzarella and spinach .. then I fill it up with bacon, mushrooms, red onion .. fresh tomato and basil. Nearly home made. *smile
This looks so good … but doing from scratch will never happen – would love a big piece of yours here. You could open a cafe – I think I said that before. I do the washing up. *smile
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Haha I would never have you washing up considering how delicious your food looks 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Uru … okay you wash up and try to .. fix some exciting vegetarian meals. Deal???!!!
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it looks beautfiul! What a great job – my mouth is watering right now.
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I love making homemade pizza for my husband for lunch – yours looks fantastic CCU. best of luck with your year of studying.
🙂 Mandy xo
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Delish! Now if only I can duplicate it.
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That is the most deliciously gorgeous pizza EVER! You are amazing! Love YOUR choice of topping and you crust looks perfect. And now I have Mama Mia stuck in my head. Thank you for that. 😉
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How good does that pizza look? Yum-o. This Italian approves this post.
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Excuse me, can I order a pizza? ……. 😛 😛 😛 You’re making us all salivate. 😉
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This is so good. You know I am not much of a dessert person so I love your mamma mia. I must try because I have never made pizza before and it will be a great experience making and eating the yummy version.
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Well done Uru! Your homemade pizza looks totally professional and DELISH! Please share with me? xx
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pizza, without a doubt is one of my top ten favourite foods, and yours looks so delicous
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That look amazing!! I’ve been away for a while, so what a fab post to come back too – looks sooo tasty!
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Wow! Your pizza looks scrummy! I love the feta crumpled on top. We have a large outdoors pizza oven and we like to fill our rolled crusts with feta cheese, maybe an idea for your next fabulous pizza, No?
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Yum. Looks great CCU, especially the Danish fetta. Mmm. Love the step-by-step photos.
Oh, and I love to put a bit of love in my dough too.
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