I remember the first time I attempted to make pizza in a microwave grill. I was a bit skeptical at first, as I had always associated microwaves with reheating leftovers or popping bags of popcorn. But on this particular day, I was feeling adventurous and craving a cheesy, crispy slice of pizza – and I was determined to make it happen. Little did I know that I was about to discover a quick and easy method for making delicious homemade pizza in a microwave grill.
Gather Your Ingredients and Tools
The Dough
First things first, you’ll need to gather all the necessary ingredients and tools. Let’s start with the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well to ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed. Then, pour in the warm water and stir until a sticky dough forms.
The Sauce and Toppings
Next up, you’ll need to prepare the sauce and toppings for your pizza. For the sauce, you can use store-bought marinara or make your own by combining tomato sauce, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined. As for the toppings, feel free to get creative and use whatever you have on hand.
The Microwave Grill
Before we jump into the pizza-making process, let’s talk about the microwave grill. A microwave grill is essentially a combination of a microwave and a regular grill, allowing you to cook food quickly while still achieving that delicious grilled flavor. It usually comes with a metal rack or tray that helps distribute heat evenly and give your food that crispy texture.
Prepare and Cook Your Pizza
Step 1: Roll Out the Dough
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients and tools, it’s time to roll out the dough. Sprinkle a flat surface with flour and place the dough on top. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into your desired thickness and shape. I personally like my pizza thin and crispy, so I roll it out quite thin.
Step 2: Preheat the Microwave Grill
Before you start cooking your pizza, you’ll need to preheat the microwave grill. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that you’re using the correct settings. In most cases, you’ll need to preheat the grill on high heat for a few minutes.
Step 3: Assemble Your Pizza
Now comes the fun part – assembling your pizza! Take the rolled-out dough and transfer it onto a metal rack or tray that came with your microwave grill. Spread a generous amount of marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, and then add your favorite toppings.
Step 4: Cook Your Pizza
Once your pizza is assembled, it’s time to cook it in the microwave grill. Carefully place the metal rack or tray with the pizza inside the grill and close the door. Set the microwave to grill mode and adjust the cooking time according to your microwave’s power. Generally, it takes around 8-10 minutes to cook a pizza in a microwave grill. Keep an eye on it to ensure that it doesn’t burn.
Step 5: Let it Cool and Enjoy
After the cooking time is up, carefully remove the metal rack or tray from the microwave grill using oven mitts or tongs to prevent burns. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing it into delicious, mouthwatering slices. The crust should be crispy, and the cheese should be gooey and melty. Grab a slice, take a bite, and savor the burst of flavors.
The Final Verdict
Making pizza in a microwave grill might be unconventional, but it’s a quick and easy method that yields fantastic results. The combination of the microwave and grill functions ensures that your pizza is cooked through while still achieving that crispy crust we all crave. So why not give it a try? Gather your ingredients, fire up your microwave grill, and get ready to indulge in a homemade pizza that will satisfy your cravings in no time.