IN THE COUNTRY & TOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2023 DIGITAL

Kim-Joy’s fat cat pizza recipe By Katie Wrights, PA “The cutest and chonkiest fat cat in its spiritual food form”, is how former Bake Off star Kim-Joy describes these pizzas – for the uninitiated,‘chonky’ refers to animals that are delightfully pudgy. “Get all your friends and family involved in decorating their own with their favourite toppings, then just enjoy the beauty of wholesome homemade (cat) pizzas!”

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

2tbsp concentrated tomato purée

1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes

Italian seasoning, to taste

Salt and pepper

Method:

1.To make the tomato sauce, place a saucepan over a medium heat, then add the olive oil and garlic. Fry for 20- 30 seconds until lightly golden (but not brown).Add the tomato purée and fry for 30 seconds.Add the chopped tomatoes and a couple of pinches of Italian seasoning then simmer over a medium heat, stirring occasionally.After five to 10 minutes, the sauce should have reduced down and thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge until ready to use. 2.To make the dough, place the flour, salt and yeast together in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment (you can also use a bread machine just to knead). Make sure that the salt is not directly touching the yeast. Stir together, then pour in the water and olive oil. Tip: If you don’t have a machine for mixing the dough, or you have the time and want improved flavour and no need to knead, then simply mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave the dough to rise overnight in the fridge until doubled in size.The second rise after shaping will take a little longer, as the dough will still be cold from the fridge, but remember that the colder and slower the rise, the better the final fat cat pizza will be! 3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled large bowl, cover with oiled plastic wrap and leave to rise for about one hour or so (this depends on the ambient temperature – if the room is warmer, it will rise faster), or until doubled in size. 4. Meanwhile, prepare the toppings for your pizza.At least 30 minutes before the dough is ready, preheat your oven to its maximum temperature to start preheating a baking steel, stone or simply a standard flat baking sheet (ideally one without a lip, for ease). Doing so will give your pizza a crispier base. 5.When the dough has risen, set aside a little for the ears, then divide the remaining dough into three equal pieces, placing each piece onto an individual sheet of baking paper (scatter semolina on the paper first, if you like, to add extra crunch). Use the heel of your hand to press each piece into a rough circle, then stretch the dough with

Fat cat pizzas

Ingredients:

(Makes 3 small pizzas)

For the dough:

400g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting

2tsp salt

7g instant fast-action dried yeast

280ml water (use tepid water to speed up the rise if you’re in a rush, but this isn’t necessary)

20ml olive oil, plus extra for oiling

Semolina flour for underneath the pizza (optional, but gives extra crunch)

For the toppings:

Around 10tbsp tomato sauce for pizza (see below)

1tbsp capers

200g mozzarella (drained weight)

A couple of black olives, for the cat face

Black gel food dye, mixed with a tiny amount of water, for painting cat whiskers

Handful of fresh basil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Extra olive oil, for drizzling

For the tomato sauce:

2tbsp olive oil

48 | mccarthyholden.co.uk

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