Creative Pizza Recipes for Home Cooks

Creating amazing pizza at home is easier than you think. With the right techniques and quality ingredients, you can achieve results that rival your favourite Canadian pizzerias.

The Perfect Dough Foundation

Start with a well-developed dough. Many Canadian chefs recommend using 00 flour for its fine texture, but all-purpose flour works well too. The key is proper kneading and a slow, cold fermentation in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.

Canadian-Inspired Toppings

Incorporate local Canadian ingredients for unique flavour combinations. Try maple-glazed bacon with caramelized onions, or smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers for a West Coast twist.

Wood-Fired Oven Alternatives

Don't have a pizza oven? Preheat your regular oven to its highest temperature (500°F/260°C or higher) with a pizza stone or steel inside. This will help create that crispy crust we all love.

Recipe: Canadian Harvest Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza dough ball
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup smoked cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup Canadian bacon, diced
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions: Preheat oven with pizza stone. Stretch dough, add sauce and cheeses. Top with mushrooms and Canadian bacon. Drizzle with maple syrup. Bake for 8-10 minutes until crust is golden. Garnish with fresh thyme.