Pizza ingredients - home-made pizza, wood-fired ovens & outdoor oven cooking

Whilst there are many “traditional” pizza toppings, you have the opportunity to create any pizza topping combination that tickles your fancy.  Pay attention to the colour of the ingredients in how you layer and mix, as that can affect both the visual presentation and the taste!

Cheeses

Mozzarella is the usual choice, but Provolone is also a good cheese for pizza.  Provolone or mozzarella cheese is often used as the first layer, as it helps keep the moisture from the ingredients off the crust. Be selective when choosing cheese, as there are lots of bland, almost tasteless Mozzarella brands on the market.  A good cheese make a world of difference to a pizza! Parmesan is also good, but some people find its aroma is a little too strong. Ricotta and Feta cheeses add delicious flavours…

Salami, Pepperoni & Sausage

Hard salami, pepperoni or Italian sausage or other similar items such as venison salami, thin-sliced. Again, you get what you pay for, and taste experience varies. Note those brands you like, and avoid those that don’t suit you.

Other Pizza Ingredients

Pine Nuts: roast them first…
Bacon: smoked bacon, precooked to remove the excess fat, adds great flavour…
Red, Yellow & Green Bell Peppers / Capsicum:  these provide lots of colour and taste…
Hot Chilli Peppers:  crushed red peppers, sprinkled on top when serving, is a popular option for those who can handle the heat…
Onions: crisp fresh red onions are a taste sensation…
Sun-dried Tomatoes: some people like the slightly bitter taste – others hate them…

Home-made pizza - outdoor oven cooking