Cheese Capsicum Onion Pizza

Midway through the test paper, she groaned, "I think I'll need divine intervention if I have to make it through the entrance exams!"

"Hey, stop disturbing us. And instead of complaining, maybe you should study a little harder", he said.

The rebuke stung, fingers crossed and with fierce determination, she went back to her test - she would get a good score....and impress him. She had recently joined this study group and primarily because he was in this group - somehow, she had to get him to notice her and a good score would do that.

"Hmmm, divine intervention....why don't you go to the balcony and wish upon a shooting star for a good score? Did you know it's supposed to rain shooting stars this week? " someone else said.

Soon, a plan took form. Test abandoned, they decided to drive to the outskirts of the city to watch the shooting stars. "Lets pack in some grub and have an impromptu picnic!"

He almost didn't join them as his the test was going rather well that night, after a long time. Ever since she had joined the group, he had been distracted. But then, he suddenly realised that she didn't have her two wheeler today - this would give him a legitimate excuse to ask her to ride with him without making him look , well, desperate.

Half an hour later, armed with somes pizzas and sandwiches, they were at the outskirts of the city.

The night was still and the sky was clear. The insects crittered loudly and the mosquitoes formed a huge tower over their heads and buzzed noisily. The pizzas and sandwiches was polished off quickly and still, there was no sign of the shooting stars.

They were about to give up when someone shouted, "Look there's one". Soon, cries of "look" and "missed it" and "one more" pierced through the silent night.

"Saw any stars? Made a wish?" she asked him as they were leaving.

But he hadn't seen any shooting stars...how could he, when he was looking at her all the time. I can't go on like this, he thought. Let me just tell her and get it over with. "My wish is you," he said quitely, looking squarely into her eyes.

She wasn't the coy sorts who would lower her eyes and blush. Her face broke into a wide grin, "I never imagined that wishes made on shooting stars came true...that soon"!

(not based on true incidents and people!!)

Cheese Capsicum Onion Pizza

Ingredients:

(for the pizza base - adapted from Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess)

makes enough for 2 eight inch pizzas

Bread flour - 1 1/3 cup
Instant dry yeast - 1 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 1 heaped tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Chilli flakes and dried basil - 1/4 tsp each
Warm water - 1/2 cup + 2tbsps
Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Method:

Dissolve the yeast in 2 tbsp of water with the sugar, set aside for about 10 mins or until frothy.

Add the yeast mixture, the remaining water and the olive oil to the remaining ingredients and knead to form a dough.

Transfer to a well floured work surface or kitchen counter top and knead for a further 5-7 minutes.
Let the dough rest in a well oiled bowl for about an hour or until doubled in volume.

After the rising time has elapsed, knock the air out of the dough by punching it down and then knead it for a minute.

Divide the dough into as many pizzas you want to make and roll each ball to a disc.

Now, this recipe makes 2 eigh inch thick crust pizzas, I used the base of my spring form pan which is 9.5" in diameter. So I rolled the disc to about 9 inches in diameter. And I had enough dough left to make another six inch pizza.

(for the sauce)

Tomatoes - 2 large
Garlic - 1 large clove
Onion - 1 small
Seasonings : Chilli flakes, basil leaves, salt, sugar - to taste
Oil

Method:

Blanch the tomatoes and peel the skin. Cut into half, scoop out the seeds and chop it up.
Heat oil, saute the garlic and onions for a couple of minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook till soft. Let it cool and then puree in the mixie.
Return to the pan, add the seasonings and simmer till the sauce thickens.

To assemble the pizza:

Once you've rolled the pizza onto the pan, let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the dough to rise again making the pizza light and fluffy.

Pre- heat the oven to 250 deg C.

Spread the sauce on the base, top with sliced onion and sliced green bell pepper.

Bake for about 20 minutes, then top with lots of cheddar cheese and bake for a further 7-10 minutes (I put the in cheese too soon, so it browned a bit at the top).

Enjoy!!