Grape pizza

This recipe sounds a bit left of centre, but all the flavours work surprisingly well together.

Makes 1 large pizza

Use

For the dough

1 cup (250 ml/9 fl oz) warm water

2 teaspoons dried yeast

3 cups (450 g/1 lb) plain (all-purpose) flour, divided into thirds

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

For the topping

2 cups (360 g/12¾ oz) seedless red grapes, halved lengthways

1 teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided in half

½ cup (25 g/1 oz) rosemary leaves

¼ cup (35 g/1¼ oz) coarsely grated gorgonzola cheese

¼ cup (25 g/1 oz) coarsely grated parmesan cheese

¼ cup (35 g/1¼ oz) coarsely grated mozzarella cheese

Do

1	Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2	In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the warm water and yeast. Set it aside for 5–8 minutes or until it is foamy.
3	Add in 1 cup of flour and the salt, stirring with a spoon until the dough comes together but is still sticky.
4	Using your hands, on a floured surface, roll the dough into a ball. Knead the dough for 5 minutes or until it is smooth.
5	Rub the same bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel (dish towel) and put it in a warm place for 1–2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size (we sit ours on top of the fridge).
6	Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss the grapes with the salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the rosemary leaves. Place the mixture onto a baking tray and bake in the oven for 10–15 minutes or until the grape skins start to burst open. Remove the baking tray but leave the oven turned on.
7	Line a 37-cm (14½-in) diameter round baking tray with baking paper and then grease with olive oil.
8	Remove the dough from the bowl and add more flour (a tablespoon at a time) to alleviate the stickiness of the dough if necessary.
9	Place the dough onto the round baking tray. Pat out the dough evenly with your fingers and stretch it to the edge of the baking tray.
10	Top the dough with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
11	Spread the cheeses and roasted grapes evenly over the dough.
12	Bake the pizza in the oven for 10–12 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown and the cheese topping starts to bubble.

Oh and if you’re in a hurry, opt for a store-bought pizza base – just be sure to get the freshest you can. Like most things in life, fresh is best.