One of the places we love is Banff at 145 Fitzroy St., St Kilda.  It has a nice atmosphere, friendly staff and, on weekday lunchtimes, very cheap pizza.  If you choose from the ‘In House’ menu on a weekday between 11am and 5pm the pizzas are 5.50.  There is quite a large range from a twist on the classic ham and pineapple to the four cheese and the more interesting squid with capers and chilli, finished with rocket and lemon.  All have a nice thin, crispy crust.

Tasty pizzas from Banff

For those who want to spend more there is a ‘Special Pizzas’ menu with a range of gourmet pizzas including Moroccan lamb, focaccias, pastas, salads and desserts.  Most are around the 10.00 mark or just above.  Throw in good coffee, 2.50 pots of beer and cheap mixed drinks (look out for happy hour) and you have a good cafe where you can take anyone, even the most impecunious of your student friends without worrying too much about the bill.

We often make our own pizzas at home and these are even cheaper.  Here’s my recipe for basic pizza dough.

Ingredients

4 cups “00” pizza flour

2-3 tsps of dried yeast

1tsp sugar

pinch salt

2tbs olive oil

2 cups warm water (you may need a little more or less depending on consistency)

Method

Put flour in a large bowl, mix in yeast, sugar and salt.  Make a well in the center and add olive oil.  Gradually add in water mixing with your hand until the dough has incorporated all the flour.  Turn onto a floured bench and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, you will be able to feel when the dough is right (usually after 5-10 mins. kneading).  Replace the dough in the oiled bowl and cover with a clean tea towel.  Put in a warm place until it has doubled in size. Divide into 4 portions.

It's a living thing

Preheat oven to 250C.  Oil an oven tray and heat it in the oven for a few minutes (or use a pizza stone).  Roll or press a portion of the dough onto the tray, try to make it quite thin as this makes for a less ‘bready’ crispy crust.

'That's amore!'

Smear with tomato sauce, I make mine from a sauteed chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic, tinned diced tomatoes, dried or fresh basil, a half tsp of sugar and salt and pepper.  Allow to simmer on the stove until reduced by half.  Cover with thinly sliced mozzarella cheese.  Top with whatever you desire.  Some suggestions are olives, artichokes, roasted capsicums, thinly sliced smoked leg ham, fresh pineapple,chorizo sausage, feta cheese, goats cheese, herbs etc.  The combinations are endless the main rule of thumb being to stick to a fairly simple combination of toppings as less is definitely more with pizza.  Cook for five minutes, turn and cook for a further 5 mins until brown and bubbling.  Eat.

Delicious