Chilli Beef Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza Base

• 220 grams pizza dough (prepared and rested)

Tomato Sauce (Passata)

Either:

• 200 grams plum tomatoes (tinned)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt
• pepper

Or:

• 220 grams Pizza Sauce

Beef & Topping

• 175 grams lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 red onion (very finely chopped)
• 1 garlic clove (crushed)
• ½ red bell pepper (finely chopped)
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 fresh red chillies (de-seeded and chopped)
• 115 grams canned red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• salt
• pepper

Cheese Topping

• 50 grams mozzarella (shredded)
• 75 grams cheddar cheese (grated)
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (chopped)

Method

Stage 1 - Make Tomato Sauce (Passata)

1. Place a fine-meshed sieve over a bowl.
2. Tip the tinned plum tomatoes into the sieve.
3. Using the back of a ladle, press down on the tomatoes to strain all their juices into the bowl.
4. Pour the strained juice into a small saucepan.
5. Simmer over very low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until reduced to a thick consistency.
6. Add the dried oregano and mix well.
7. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
8. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Stage 2 - Cook Beef Topping

1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
2. Add the finely chopped red onion, crushed garlic, and finely chopped red pepper.
3. Fry gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef.
5. Brown the beef, stirring continuously and breaking it into small pieces, for 5-6 minutes.
6. The beef should be crumbly and thoroughly cooked, with no pink remaining.
7. Add the chopped chillies and ground cumin.
8. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
9. The chillies will soften and distribute their heat; the cumin will perfume the mixture.
10. Add the drained kidney beans.
11. Check the seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
12. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for about 10 minutes (this allows flavors to meld).
13. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Stage 3 - Shape Pizza Base

1. Place the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface (preferably marble or granite).
2. Using your hands and a rolling pin, gently stretch the dough into a round roughly 3 mm thick and about 25-30 cm diameter.
3. Flour lightly and drape over a rolling pin.
4. Unroll onto a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza stone.
5. Using fingertips, gently push the dough outward to the edges for even thickness.

Stage 4 - Top the Pizza

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (about 25-30 minutes before use).
2. Use the back of a spoon to spread the cooled passata over the pizza base, leaving a 1 cm border.
3. Spoon the cooked beef and kidney bean mixture evenly over the sauce.
4. Sprinkle the fresh oregano over the beef topping.
5. Distribute the shredded mozzarella and grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Stage 5 - Bake the Pizza

1. Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven.
2. Bake for approximately 18 minutes until crisp, golden, and the cheese has melted and begins to brown slightly at the edges.
3. Keep watch towards the end to prevent over-browning.

Stage 6 - Serve

1. Use a palette knife to immediately slide the pizza onto a wire rack.
2. Allow to rest for 2-3 minutes (this makes cutting and serving easier).
3. Cut into wedges and serve piping hot.