Bushra Griffith
Ham and cheese pizza is a classic, comforting dish that is easy to make and perfect for using up leftovers. This recipe is simple, quick, and versatile, allowing you to get creative with your toppings. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, sauce, and ingredients, making it a convenient and tasty option for a family dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ham, cheese, flour, water, salt, tomato pulp/sauce, oregano, olive oil, butter, milk |
| Equipment | Rolling pin, pizza pan/baking sheet/tray, oven |
| Dough | Can be made from scratch or store-bought |
| Sauce | Can be tomato-based or a white sauce (e.g., olive oil, garlic, and parmesan) |
| Toppings | Ham, cheese, onion, mushroom, peppers, herbs |
| Cooking Time | Around 15-20 minutes in the oven at 400-475°F |
| Storage | Can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days |
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Preparing the dough
Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the dough, you will need flour, water, and a pinch of salt. You can use regular flour or self-rising flour, which will give your dough a consistent texture. The water is essential for mixing and bringing the flour together into a dough. A small amount of salt will season the dough and enhance the overall flavour of your pizza.
Once you have your ingredients, it's time to mix and knead the dough. Combine the flour, water, and salt in a large bowl using a wooden spoon. Mix until the ingredients form a rough dough. Then, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle a small amount of additional flour onto the dough and begin to knead it with your hands. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. This process should take a few minutes and will help develop the gluten in the dough, giving it a chewy texture.
After kneading, it's time to shape the dough. Use a rolling pin to flatten and expand the dough into a circular shape. Roll it out to your desired thickness, keeping in mind that you want it thin enough to cook through but not so thin that it burns easily. Once you've achieved the desired size and thickness, carefully transfer the dough to a pizza pan or a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Before adding any toppings, it's a good idea to pre-bake the dough partially. This step helps to ensure a crispier base and prevents a soggy crust. Preheat your oven to a temperature between 400°F and 475°F, depending on your oven's capabilities and the dough recipe you are following. Place the dough in the oven and bake for 5-6 minutes until it is partially cooked. Remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before adding your toppings.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious ham and cheese pizza with a perfectly prepared dough base.
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Choosing the sauce
The sauce is an important component of any pizza, and you can choose from a variety of options when making a ham and cheese pizza. The most popular choice is a classic tomato sauce, which can be made from fresh tomato pulp or store-bought tomato sauce. This sauce adds colour and extra flavour to the pizza. To enhance the flavour of a tomato sauce, you can add oregano and a drizzle of olive oil.
If you want to get creative, you can opt for a white or cream sauce as a base. You can make a simple cream sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, adding flour to form a roux, and then slowly incorporating milk to create a thick, creamy sauce. You can also add cheese to this sauce to make it even richer. Another option for a white sauce is to mix olive oil, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese.
For those who want to try something unique, a honey dijon sauce can add a zesty kick to your ham and cheese pizza. This sauce is inspired by the French sandwich, Croque-Monsieur, and pairs well with Swiss cheese and pear slices as toppings.
Whether you choose a classic tomato sauce, a creamy white sauce, or a zesty dijon sauce, the sauce you pick for your ham and cheese pizza will significantly impact its overall flavour and character.
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Adding ham
Ham and cheese pizza is a classic combination that is easy to make and always delicious. It is also a great way to use up leftover ham from the holidays!
When it comes to adding ham to your pizza, there are a few options. You can use leftover ham, which is a great way to reduce food waste and create a delicious meal. Leftover ham can be sliced or diced into pieces and added as a topping. You can also use store-bought ham, which can be purchased pre-diced or as a ham steak that you can cut yourself. If you're feeling fancy, you can even get a honey-glazed ham steak to add a touch of sweetness to your pizza.
The amount of ham you use is up to your personal preference. If you're a meat lover, you can load up on the ham slices or dice it into larger pieces. For a more balanced pizza, you can use a smaller amount of ham and cut it into thin slices or small pieces.
When preparing the ham, it is important to ensure that it is sliced or diced into pieces that are relatively uniform in size. This will ensure that the ham cooks evenly and that you get a delicious bite of ham in every mouthful of pizza.
Once you have prepared your ham, it's time to add it to your pizza! Simply place the ham slices or pieces onto the pizza dough, spreading them out evenly to ensure every slice of pizza gets some hammy goodness. You can also layer the ham with other toppings like onions, peppers, or mushrooms to create a more complex and flavourful pizza.
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Adding cheese
You can use a variety of cheeses for your pizza, and the most popular ones are mozzarella and parmesan. Fresh mozzarella is a great choice as it melts beautifully and provides that classic, creamy texture. Grated parmesan is also a good option as it adds a strong, sharp flavour to the pizza. You can also sprinkle on some parmesan to add a golden, crispy texture to your crust. For a unique twist, you could try Swiss cheese, which will give your pizza a salty, creamy flavour.
When it comes to adding cheese to your pizza, you have a few options. You can simply sprinkle grated or shredded cheese over your other toppings, ensuring an even spread across the pizza. Alternatively, you can make a cheese sauce to spread over your dough before adding other toppings. To make a cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour and stir, then slowly add milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Once the mixture thickens, add your shredded or grated cheese and stir until melted.
If you want an extra cheesy pizza, you can add cheese to your crust, too. When shaping your dough, leave about an inch from the edge, and add your sauce and toppings to the centre, keeping the edge clear. This will ensure your crust cooks up nice and crispy, and you can add some cheese to this uncovered edge for some extra cheesiness.
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Baking the pizza
Now that your pizza is ready to be baked, it's time to preheat your oven. Most recipes recommend preheating your oven to 400°F, but some recipes suggest a higher temperature of 475°F. While the oven is preheating, you can prepare a baking tray by lining it with parchment paper.
Once the oven is preheated, place your pizza on the prepared baking tray. Make sure there is enough space in the oven for the pizza to bake evenly. If using a pizza stone, ensure it is preheated as well. You can now proceed to bake your pizza for 15 to 20 minutes. However, if you prefer a more well-done pizza, you can leave it in the oven for a few extra minutes.
Keep a close eye on your pizza while it's baking, as the baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your pizza. The pizza is ready when the cheese is nicely melted and slightly browned, and the crust is golden brown. If you like your pizza with a crispier crust, you can bake it for a few additional minutes, but be careful not to burn it.
Once your pizza is baked to your desired level of doneness, turn off the oven and remove the pizza using oven mitts or a pizza peel. Place it on a wire rack or a heat-resistant surface to cool slightly before serving. This will allow the cheese to set slightly and make it easier to slice.
Your ham and cheese pizza is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it while it's still hot and enjoy the delicious combination of melted cheese, crispy crust, and savory toppings.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ham, cheese, flour, water, salt, tomato pulp, oregano, olive oil, and butter.
It should take between 15 to 20 minutes to bake the pizza in the oven. However, you will also need time to prepare the dough and assemble the pizza.
You can use mozzarella, parmesan, or Swiss cheese.
Yes, leftover ham is a great option for a ham and cheese pizza.
