What kind of dish should I use to cook a pizza?

What kind of dish should I use to cook a pizza?

You don't necessarily need a special utensil to make a pizza: you can do it successfully with a few everyday kitchen items.

Here's what you'll need for your pizza dish:

Pizza pan: This is a dish specially designed for cooking pizzas. It can be made of metal or stainless steel, ceramic, stone or fireproof material. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate the size of your pizza. The pizza baking tray ensures that the pizza is cooked evenly.

Baking tray: A baking tray can also be used to cook a pizza. Make sure it's heat-resistant and large enough for the size of your pizza.

Pizza stone: A pizza stone can be used to get a crispy crust. It is usually placed in the oven to preheat before the pizza is placed on it to cook.

Baking tray: A standard baking tray can also be used. Make sure it is large enough and heat resistant.

Oven rack: If you don't have a baking tray or stone, and you prefer a crispier crust, you can bake the pizza directly on the oven rack. Place a sheet of greaseproof paper underneath to prevent the dough from sticking.

Pie or quiche dish: These can also be used to bake pizzas, especially if you're making a thin-crust pizza. Make sure they are heat resistant.

Frying pan: For a quicker option and without an oven, you can make a pizza in a frying pan. Place the pizza in the pan, cover and cook over a medium heat.

In short, you can use a variety of common baking pans, depending on what you have available. The key is to preheat the pan before placing the pizza in it to ensure even cooking and a deliciously crispy crust.

How do you cook a pizza in the oven?

To bake a pizza in the oven, you can use the different types of utensils listed above, depending on your preferences and the equipment you have. Here are some tips for the most common options:

Traditional oven: Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature for pizza, usually between 220°C and 250°C. Use a pizza tray, pizza stone or rack to bake the pizza directly on the oven rack.

Pizza oven: If you have a pizza oven, this is an excellent option! These ovens are specially designed to cook pizzas quickly and evenly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results.

Wood-fired oven: This is the traditional way to make a delicious pizza. Make sure the oven is pre-heated before putting the pizza in.

You can also cook your pizza on a barbecue, using a pizza tray to prevent the pizza from sticking to the grill. Some barbecues are equipped with a cooking stone: in this case, the stone must be preheated before the pizza is placed on it.

Choose the option that suits you best, depending on your appliance, and make sure you follow the cooking instructions specific to your appliance and the pizza recipe you're using.

How do I cook a pizza on a pizza stone?

Baking a pizza on a pizza stone can give you a crispy crust and even cooking.

Ingredients and equipment: pizza dough, pizza sauce, toppings of your choice (cheese, vegetables, meat, etc.), corn or wheat flour to sprinkle on the stone, pizza stone.

Instructions:

Preheat the oven: place the stone cold in the oven, then preheat the oven to the highest temperature recommended for your pizza recipe. Make sure you preheat the stone for at least 30 minutes to ensure it reaches the optimum temperature.

Prepare the pizza dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. You can adjust the thickness to suit your taste;

Dust the stone: before placing the pizza on the hot stone, lightly dust the stone with corn or wheat flour. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the stone.

Carefully place the pizza on the hot stone. Make sure it is evenly distributed on the stone;

Add the toppings. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, then add the toppings of your choice, such as cheese, vegetables, meat, etc.

Bake the pizza: place the stone in the preheated oven. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes to cook, but keep an eye on it. The pizza is ready when the crust is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Remove and let rest: Use oven gloves to remove the pizza from the oven. Leave to rest for a few minutes before slicing: this allows the crust to stabilise and the flavours to develop.

If you follow these steps, you should get a delicious pizza with a crispy crust, thanks to cooking on a preheated pizza stone.