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Top 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong

Top 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong

by | Feb 4, 2019 | Travel

Top 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong City Guide

I love Hong Kong. I have been there 5 times and every time I have learned something new about the city or tried a new experience there. There is a lot to do and there are many city guides out there but this is my guide to the things I like to experience in this amazing city – Hong Kong.

Getting To Hong Kong

Getting from Ireland/UK to Hong Kong is a bit of a trek. You can expect about 11-12 hours of a flight. This flight time maybe a bit more of you get routed more northerly or if your flight gets placed into a holding pattern while waiting to land.

There are many airlines which fly to Hong Kong direct. The ones I have used include Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Other Airlines include Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, Swiss amongst others.

I very much recommend spending a bit more and enjoying Premium Economy if available. You will be on the flight quite a while so being comfortable is important. I never do long-haul now without Premium Economy!

Hotels and Staying in Hong Kong

Hotels in Hong Kong are plentiful. Many are 5* luxury hotels which are expensive and plush. However, in the past, I have stayed in Ibis and Travelodge hotels which are basic but have all you need to rest during your visit to the city.

My default hotel in Hong Kong is the Novotel Century Hotel which is located near Wan Chai. This hotel is within walking distance of the ferry pier, has access to the Tram system (the Ding Ding) where you can travel to Central for all your major transport needs. The key feature of this hotel which I really enjoy is the amazing Asian Buffet Breakfast. There is also an enjoyable roof-top swimming pool which is a real treat as it is outdoor and you can hear the sounds of the city and watch the aircraft fly overhead at night. Rates at the Novotel Century Hotel start at around €110/£100 low season and about €170/£155 in High Season per night.  You will sleep very well here and you will be well fed at breakfast!

My Top 10 things to do in Hong Kong are listed below but are not really in any preferred order. Therefore, I have placed a ‘MUST DO‘ beside any ones which you really should do on a visit to Hong Kong.

1) Victoria Peak

This is a Must Do attraction on a visit to Hong Kong. 

Victoria Peak is a hill overlooking Hong Kong. It is over 550m high, approx 1,800ft. You may also hear this area referred to as ‘The Peak’. This is one of the major tourist attractions in Hong Kong and you have a number of ways to get up here. You can take the Peak Tram which glides up the steep incline, you can take a taxi or bus, or if you feel very energetic you could walk (not recommended).

The Peak Tram is the best way to get here but be warned, queues could be anything up to 90 minutes in peak season. 

It is worth coming here during the day just before sunset to see the view. Then, go get some food in one of the many restaurants. After night falls you have a different nighttime view of Hong Kong. It is a stunning view of an amazing city.

2) Tsim Sha Tsui

Tsim Sha Tsui is mainly known as being a shopping and nightlife district. The reason I include it is because there is so much to see an do along here. Some of the attractions below will require you to come back to this area of Hong Kong. You can get here by ferry if you are on the other side of the bay and it is very cheap, under €1 per trip to do so. 

Really this is worthing coming to as an exploration. Visit the Harbour City shopping centre, big enough to suit most shoppers, or take a walk along Nathan Road where you will see major brand names including Canon, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and more. There are also lots of great local eateries in this area, so a good spot for lunch.

3) Symphony of Lights

This is a Must Do attraction on a visit to Hong Kong.

Normally Victoria Harbour looks wonderful at night, with the many skyscrapers lit up. However, the Symphony of Lights is a multimedia show which sets the harbour ablaze every night. This is one of the world’s most spectacular light shows. The Symphony of Lights has become one of the signature icons for Hong Kong as the buildings and skyscrapers on both sides of the harbour create a visual and sensational multimedia extravaganza.

There are searchlights, lasers, LED screens and lighting working in synchronicity in a nightly showcase which makes the Hong Kong skyline into an experience for the senses. Music is played but in certain areas cannot be heard, but you can get an app which you can use when watching the Symphony of Lights so you can enjoy the music during the light show.

4) The Star Ferry & Ding Ding

Transport in Hong Kong is very good. The MTR is the underground and operates an amazing service which is normally to-the-second. Purchase an MTR Octopus card for the easiest way to get around the underground network.

If you want something more traditional, the Star Ferry runs between points of the harbour. The average cost of a return trip on the ferry is about €0.70c which is amazing value. It is a great way to see the city in a relaxed fashion. If you visit Hong Kong you should really do this at least once.

The Ding Ding is the Hong Kong Tram service. It is a tram so you only get it on the streets where you see the tram lines. It’s a very simple service. Get on at the back and disembark at the front where you also pay your fare which is around €0.30c ($2.70HKD). Again, this is a wonderfully traditional way to see the streets of Hong Kong.

5) Ngong Ping – Tian Tan Buddha

This is a Must Do attraction on a visit to Hong Kong.

The Big Buddha is the common name for the Tian Tan Buddha. This large bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni was completed in 1993 and is located at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. You will find many tour operators who do tours to this location however you will find that your day is very much scheduled to their plans and you really don’t get a chance to explore. You can get to the Ngong Ping 360 terminus from the Central station via the MTR. 

The Ngong Ping 360 experience starts with a cable car ride to the location. You can also get glass-bottomed cable cars if you are brave enough to look downwards. As you come across the hills you can see the buddha in the distance. It is an amazing sight. The statue itself is 34m/112ft and you have to climb 268 steps to reach the Buddha.

Once at the village you can enjoy tea ceremonies, visit Dim Sum houses, take a guided nature trail and visit the big buddha itself. There is a museum inside or you can explore the surrounding area. You should also visit the Po Lin Monastery while you are here.

The Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha are open to the public between 10 am and 5:30 pm. 

6) Kowloon Park

One of the things Hong Kong has a lot of is parks. Kowloon Park has to be my favourite. It was formerly a British Army barracks which was redeveloped in the early 70s. These days the park is about 3 times the size it was back then at about 33 acres. Kowloon Park has everything from duck ponds and aviaries to sports centres and a swimming pool complex.

Why include Kowloon Park in a Top things to do in Hong Kong … It seems strange to include a park as a thing to do in such a huge city.
Well, from time to time in a busy city you might just want to get away from it all and take some (relatively) quiet time. The green areas, birds etc. certainly bring a sense of calm in a very busy city. You will also see in the early morning, people doing Tai Chi, Fan Dancing and even performing Cantonese Opera. I saw some amazing examples of positive ageing when I was there last when I saw 3 gentlemen probably in their late 70s / early 80s doing pull-ups in the park and they then went on to demonstrate to their friends some examples of kung-fu moves – amazing stuff. I thought that I had been lucky to see these men doing Kung-Fu, but many others have reported this on TripAdvisor!

7) Temple Street Night Market

This is a famous market in Hong Kong. Once the evening comes traders lay out their wares and await the thousands who visit this area. The Temple Street Night Market has a wonderful atmosphere with everything from teaware, gadgets, electronics and watches to menswear, antiques and leather goods. The surrounding streets are buzzing with the sound of restaurants serving the very best in street food. Many movies have used this area as a backdrop.

If you want to get to Temple Street Night Market take the MTR to Yau Ma Tei Station, Exit C, turn onto Temple Street at Man Ming Lane or you can take the MTR to MTR Jordan Station using Exit A and turn right onto Jordan Road and then take another right onto Temple Street. (You may need Google Maps as I chose MTR Jordan and ended up traveling the wrong direction from the exit).

8) Chi Lin Nunnery

I visited the Chi Lin Nunnery in 2013 and it is a bit of a hidden gem in Hong Kong. The Chi Lin Nunnery is a large Buddhist temple complex located in Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong.Founded in 1934 the Chi Lin Nunnery was a retreat for Buddhist nuns. There are statues of gold and wood all around the area of the main halls and the majority of these temple halls as well as the beautiful Chinese garden in front of the nunnery are open to the public daily, all free of charge.

While you are here you should also visit the Nan Lian Garden which is located opposite the Chi Lin Nunnery. 

9) Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple

The Wong Tai Sin Temple is the first Temple I ever visited in Hong Kong back in 2002. It is a Taoist temple dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, or the Great Immortal Wong, and is a famous shrine for those requesting prayers to be answered.

The temple has it’s roots in the early 1900s and the temple itself was only opened to the public in 1956. At that time there was a 10c admission fee. Today the temple is free to walk around and even in early January the crowds throng this area as from 1 to 15 January, whose who had prayers answers return to thank the immortal. 

It is a wonderful way to observe and take in the spirit of Hong Kong as people use incense and ask Wong to answer their prayers.

10) Avenue of the Stars

This area along the waterfront celebrates Hong Kong’s movie industry.  The Avenue of Stars pays tribute to the many names and actors who helped to make Hong Kong the ‘Hollywood of the East’.

There are many statues along the route with stars like Bruce Lee being a very popular selfie and photo spot. 

This area is very popular during the Symphony of Lights extravaganza. 

Hong Kong is an amazing destination and I am going to re-edit this post and make it the Top 15 and maybe the Top 20 things to do in Hong Kong. The more I write about Hong Kong the more great places I recall. So please come back and revisit for future edits. I plan on adding a map of all these Hong Kong locations in a future edit also.

If you like this post don’t forget to share it using the social media share buttons provided or even leave a comment…

Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route, Ireland’s West Coast

Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route, Ireland’s West Coast

by | Sep 21, 2018 | Ireland

Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route

The Wild Atlantic Way is a designated section of the West coast of Ireland. Its tagline is that you can ‘Explore 9 counties along this unforgettable coastal touring route to enjoy breathtaking scenery and exceptional experiences.’ I first travelled this part of Ireland around 1984, when we drove from Waterford, through Cork, Kerry, Clare and into Galway before heading home east via Dublin. I remember areas like Scull, Garnish Island, the Tarbert Ferry and the amazing Cliffs of Moher. This post outlines a decent Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route which takes in some of the key areas and sights in the area. This is also a driving route which I have recently done myself in November 2017.

This Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route will bring you from Kenmare to Doolin (or vice versa). The drive, according to Google Maps would take you around 6h 15 minutes but in reality, with Irish roads, it will be more than that. Don’t forget you will want to stop off and see these places. With this in mind, I suggest stopping overnight somewhere of your choosing along the way. You are quite close to Adare and also Limerick if you feel like venturing off-route momentarily for hotels.

Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route from Doolin – Top 10 places to see

I’m going to presume that you are starting in Doolin, Co. Clare and driving south. If you are starting my Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route in Kerry then just reverse these instructions and start in Kenmare. The Top 10 places to see and do will be outlined below as headings, working from Doolin south.

The Cliffs of Moher

I first saw the cliffs of moher when I was 10 and I can recall a big field where everyone parked and a basic café with a castle nearby. Things have really changed. Now the cliffs of moher has a proper car park and a full experiential interpretive centre. If you have the time you should walk a section of the cliff top route. It is breathtaking. There is a charge for parking here.

Cliffs of Moher, on the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route

Spanish Point

This is a very scenic area, often overlooked. It is on the way between the two endpoints on this journey and great as a stopping off point to stretch the legs and enjoy the view of the wild Atlantic. We stopped at a local hotel, got tea and used that as a base / car park to wander the local routes for an hour or so.

The Bridges of Ross, Near Spanish Point, on the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route

Kilkee

This was a new one on me. I only discovered it in 2017. There are cliffs near the golf course with parking nearby and it is worth parking and taking a walk down to the sea shore. You get a great view of the sea and cliffs from here. Following on from here you can, if you wish, go straight on and visit Loop Head and the Bridges of Ross.

Kilkee, Co. Clare, Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route

The Tarbert Ferry

This ferry will bring you across the River Shannon at one of the widest points. The Journey takes around 25 minutes and gives you great views of the river and the surrounding countryside. The Tarbert Ferry is a paid for service and costs around €19 per car. There is a 10% discount if you buy the Tarbert Ferry ticket online.

Tarbert Ferry Crossing, on the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route

Ballybunion

Ballybunion is a beautiful coastal town and seaside resort in County Kerry, Ireland. It’s 15 km off-route from the town of Listowel. If you are a golfer, bring your clubs as there is a very good links course here.

Tralee

I was here many times in the 80s and it is most famous for the Rose of Tralee festival which takes place every August. The town goes into really party mode for this event. Note, if you intend getting a hotel in Tralee during the festival it is best to book ahead as availability can be tight and prices can be out of the ordinary.

Blennerville Windmill, Tralee, Co. Kerry, on the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route

Dingle

This town is famous for one very special visitor and that is Fungi and dolphin. If you have the time you might take a boat trip and you could get to see him as he leaps from the water. I was there in 1992 and we went on a wetsuit swum where you could meet the dolphin but it was so cold that we ended up going in as far as our knees. Apparently, he was feet in front of me but I couldn’t see him. Anyway, it’s a lovely town and worth seeing.

Inch

The key feature of Inch is Inch Beach. This is an impressive three mile stretch of sandy beach, ideal for bathing, surfing and many other water sports.

Killarney National Park & the Ring of Kerry

The area around Killarney National Park and the Killarney Lakes is some of Ireland’s most iconic and spectacular scenery. There is also the Ring of Kerry which, if you have time, you could also do as it forms a looped drive. Most hotels in the area have maps of the various areas you can visit on the Ring of Kerry.

A Sheep from Ireland

Kenmare

This is a lovely little town with many areas around to walk and explore. If you are staying here for any length of time I recommend eating at the restaurant No. 35. This amazing restaurant sources local ingredient and creates dishes which are homely in taste but with an unusual twist. I eat here every time I visit Kenmare. The best food I have tried in that region of Ireland.

Just a note regarding driving these roads, if you go off-road, i.e. down to a remote viewing point etc, you might find that the roads are not the best maintained. Some of the roads have bad potholes and soft margins so make sure you have decent tyres on the car and you know that your vehicle can make it on the terrain required. It’s worth ensuring your insurance covers for emergency callouts and things like windscreen protection. If you are looking for good insurance and a comparison of policies the Chill Insurance website has a good tool which might help you. 

I hope you have enjoyed my Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route along Ireland’s West Coast. It is a route I have done many times in different directions. I love stopping at the smaller towns as well as visiting abandoned areas of the coast. Next up, I might try write a post for driving routes on Ireland’s Ancient East.

Map

I hope you enjoy your journey on this Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route.
You can Follow the various accounts Wild Atlantic Way Tweets and Social Media posts
with the hashtag #WILDATLANTICWAY

Dog Friendly Hotels along Englands South Coast

Dog Friendly Hotels along Englands South Coast

by | Sep 17, 2018 | Travel

If you own a dog then you will understand that traveling with a dog can have its own challenges. The main one being can I find dog-friendly hotels in that area which is actually a dog friendly hotel and not just dog tolerant hotel (which we had experience of on the Isle of Wight at a hotel in Sandown).

My Experience of Dog Friendly Hotels in the UK

Having recently been together UK with a dog, it seems the UK is far ahead of Ireland in this respect. Bars and Restaurants are very dog friendly, and you can bring your dog inside, unlike Ireland where you have to sit outside in the cold. 

Hotels were just as accommodating. Searching on Booking.com allowed you to select a ‘Pets Welcome’ option. This showed all hotels who allowed pets inside. Next, if you read the reviews you can isolate hotels were past reviews mention excellent dog friendly experiences at that hotel. 

This blog post outlines some of the best dog friendly hotels along the south coast of the UK. 

The Clock House B&B, Marnhull, Dorset

When looking for Dog Friendly Hotels in Dorset via Booking.com I came across a B&B called the Clock House which had one of the highest satisfaction ratings I had seen. Many of which were from dog owners. 

Seeing testimonials and reviews like this is very reassuring – so we booked the Clock House B&B by phone and it was amazing. The B&B is located in Marnhull in Dorset located on the River Stour 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the small town of Sturminster Newton. There are Lovely surroundings in Marnhull with lots of walks, ideal if like me you like photography!

More like a Hotel than a B&B

It is the most wonderful B&B I have ever been in. More like a hotel than B&B. 

When we arrived we had an Amazing welcome and we were treated to Tea on the terrace. We were then shown to our beautifully appointed room which had doors to the terrace and garden area. This was ideal for the dog friendly nature, as when nature calls you just have to open the doors of your patio for your pooch and you don’t disturb any other guests. The room also had a Fantastic shower and bathroom with great products and fluffy towels. You are guaranteed the best ever sleep here. The beds are so comfortable!

Breakfast at the clock House is an experience, just continental breakfast but it was more than enough for us. Plenty of fresh fruit, muesli, toast and lovely boiled eggs – the perfect setup for a perfect day exploring Dorset. The service is 10/10.

The Clock House is an amazing property with amazing staff. It is a very dog friendly hotel!
Thanks to Chris, Mella and Julie and of course the canine watchdogs Ben and Tizzy for a Wonderful and memorable stay. 

Clock House B&B Marnhull – Booking Information

Address: Burton Street, Marnhull, DT10 1PH, United Kingdom

Booking Link- Click Here

The Clock House B&B, Dog Friendly Hotel, Marnhull, UK
The Clock House B&B, Dog Friendly Hotel Room, Marnhull, UK
The Clock House B&B, Dog Friendly Hotel Reception
Tea Coffee Facilities

Oscars Lodge Hotel, Torquay, Devon

When researching Dog-Friendly Hotels to stay in Torquay in Devon, we came across one particular hotel which seemed to have a wow factor when it came to dog friendliness. Again, great reviews on Booking.com in regards to dog friendliness so Oscars Lodge B&B was the one we booked. 

It ticked all the boxes we were looking for: a good value, dog friendly hotel in a good location in Torquay with free parking, what more could you want. The location was only 10 minutes walk from the promenade at Torquay.

On arrival, we were greeted by Amy and Richard, the young couple who run Oscars Lodge. They were so friendly and also so kind to our 15-year-old Springer Frieda. On arrival, there were chocolates on the bed for us and doggie treats for Frieda (which she quickly became accustomed to)…. such a nice touch. 

The room was beautifully decorated with a Chanel / Breakfast at Tiffany’s style. The bed was so comfortable and a good nights sleep was guaranteed. The WiFi was perfect and this is something which some major hotels can’t get right. Tea and coffee facilities were available and in plentiful supply. 

Amy and Richard could not do enough for us. It was the perfect stay.
This is another dog friendly hotel we really look forward to returning as soon as we can. 

Hotel Booking Information

Address: 56 Belgrave Road, Torquay, TQ2 5HY, United Kingdom

Booking Link

Oscars Lodge Room Torquay - Dog Friendly Hotel in the UK

The Royal Hotel, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Dog Friendly Hotels are probably best run by owners who have dogs. The Royal Hotel is run by a lovely man called Eddie and a greyhound called Boris is also on reception to welcome guests. The hotel is situated in a quiet area of the town and is on the sea front only minutes from the pier. This location is ideal for walking your dog, however, during the summer, the beach is not dog friendly.

The rooms at the Royal are really well appointed and very comfortable. The bathrooms are clean with excellent showers. Breakfast at the Royal is simple but so good. Eddie has homemade muesli, yogurt and a coffee which will get you started for the day. The only thing to be aware of is that the parking in Eastbourne is ticketed. The Royal Hotel provides you with a ticket for the day / duration of your stay… All you need to do is find a car park space.

It is an extremely dog-friendly hotel. We were told that there are many regulars who always book the same rooms because their dogs really like that hotel room.

If you want to enjoy this area of East Sussex with your dog, then a stay at the Royal is highly recommended!

Note, If you are booking, book on the hotels official website for the best rates. Probably best to give Eddie a call and check the availability. 

Hotel Booking Information

Address: The Royal Hotel, 8-9 Marine Parade, Eastbourne BN21 3DX, UK

Booking Link

The Royal Hotel Eastbourne, Dog Friendly Hotel Room
The Royal Hotel Eastbourne, Dog Friendly Hotel

Locations of these 3 Dog Friendly Hotels along the south coast of the UK

Oscars Lodge Torquay

Oscars Lodge Torquay

Clock House B&B Marnhull, UK

Clock House B&B Marnhull, UK

The Royal Hotel, Eastbourne, UK

The Royal Hotel, Eastbourne, UK

 

 

This website is not responsible for 3rd party websites linked from this page. Information was correct at time of publication of this blog post “Dog Friendly Hotels along Englands South Coast”. This Review of Hotels and B&Bs is not sponsored and this is a review based on my opinion of my visit.

Christopher Robin & Pooh Bear Movie Review

Christopher Robin & Pooh Bear Movie Review

by | Sep 8, 2018 | Reviews

I think everyone grew up with the cuddly character of Pooh Bear. This Pudgy looking bear loved honey, hated Heffalumps and had spelling as good as lolcats. Over the past few years, there have been a few movies about Pooh Bear, the most recent being Goodbye Christopher Robin.  This new movie is the only one which I have actually gone to see at the cinema. I can tell you that at the 8 pm showing at the Odeon, Christopher Robin had 100% of the audience over the age of 18. 

Christopher Robin the Movie

The basic storyline is that Christopher Robin has grown up, been to the war and is now working in a briefcase company. He has forgotten all about his time in the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh Bear and his friends. The start of the film brings you on a whistle-stop tour of the memories he and Pooh Bear have. This shows everything from his tea parties in the woods to him leaving for school and later the war, finally ending up in a high profile yet soul-crushing job.

He promises his family that he would go to the countryside this weekend but Christopher’s manager insists he works. His family are not pleased and go alone, Christopher Robin is left to contemplate the conflict between family and work. During a moment of stress in the local park, he utters the words ‘what to do, what to do’ and then hears ‘what to do indeed’ from Pooh Bear, voiced by the excellent Jim Cummings. Christopher cannot believe this is real and from here he has to accept that Pooh has come back, ultimately to save him.

Christopher Robin, played by Ewan McGregor and his wife Evelyn (Hayley Atwell) are not seeing eye to eye over his time spent at work. His daughter Madeline (Bronte Carmichael) is not seeing her father much these days and both of these relationships are in the balance. His wife has said she cannot remember the last time he smiled and his dealings with his daughter are very matter-a-fact.

Pooh Bear causes a bit of havoc in Christopher house as he tries climbing shelves and steps in lots of honey. The comedic values in the film are very well balanced with the sombre and serious discussions of work-life balance, a topic valid in today’s society.

There are some fantastic scenes in this movie, I’m not going to spoil them, but they are very nicely done indeed. It really is a feel-good movie, probably one of the best I have seen. The Movie Reviewer Mark Kermode says, if you laugh 6 times during a movie, it is a comedy. I can tell you I laughed 6 times in the first 15 minutes of this movie and a lot more after that.

If you have not seen Christopher Robin then please do – you will feel great when leaving the cinema. The trailer is below if you have not seen it.

Christopher Robin is Feel Good Movie Excellence at its Best!

Delicious homemade pizza recipe

Delicious homemade pizza recipe

by | Jun 19, 2018 | Lifestyle

My delicious Pizza Recipe

If you are looking for a tasty meal or snack to share then you can’t go too far wrong with a homemade pizza. This is my own homemade pizza recipe. It includes a pizza base recipe and a pizza sauce recipe.

I have followed recipes online and from time to time they don’t actually work out. However, with this recipe, I can guarantee the pizza recipe here does work. This is one recipe which I have made a few times now and it just improves each time I make it.

There are 4 stages to this pizza recipe. The pizza dough, the pizza topping and the pizza assembly…. and of course actually baking the pizza.

The Pizza dough

(this pizza recipe makes one 12 inch pizza, thin base. If you want thicker or if you want 2 thin pizzas you need to double the quantities.) 

You will need the following to make the pizza dough: 

  • 150g flour.
  • 120ml warm water
  • Teaspoon of oil
  • Half teaspoon sugar & a bit less same for salt
  • Just over 1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast
    (If you use quick yeast you may need to play around with the quantities)

Pizza Base method

Mix the warm water (1/3 almost boiling mixed with 2/3 cold) and the yeast and the sugar. Give this a good mix around with a fork for 30 seconds. Leave to rest for 5-10 mins until it looks frothy.

In another bowl sieve the flour and salt and then add a drop of oil as per the ingredients.

Once the yeast mix is ready make a well and pour into. Don’t put all the water in as you might have enough in 110 or 115 ml. Mix together with a fork. When it looks like it is coming together, form a ball and place on a surface with some flour. Now you need to knead and stretch it for 10 mins. Once this pizza dough mix has been kneaded put in an oiled bowl for 45 – 60 minutes covered with a damp clean cloth or cling film.

This should double in size during that time.

Pizza recipe – The topping sauce

This pizza topping sauce is my own recipe. It was developed out of necessity as I had none to-hand, but I had tomatoes. If you already have one store bought you can skip this. However, the flavour from a home made sauce is phenomenal.

You need the following ingredients:

15-20 cherry tomatoes or 2-3

Large tomatoes

Pinch of salt

Black Pepper

Half clove of crushed garlic (optional)

1 tsp Spinach pesto (optional)

1 tbsp of Rojo sauce (optional)

Cheese

Mushrooms

(Any other toppings eg spinach, sweet corn etc)

Chop the tomatoes as small as you can without being blended mush. They should still have some consistency. Heat a pan on a medium to high heat with a drop of olive oil. Once hot place the tomatoes on the pan with the pinch of salt and some freshly cracked pepper and fry for a few mins. Reduce the heat and add the pesto and Rojo sauce. After 10 mins you should be able to break up the tomatoes further. Once in a sauce consistency place in a bowl and let cool in the fridge.

My Pizza Recipe - The Pizza before it is cooked

Assembling the pizza 

Once the pizza base has doubled punch it back and knock out the air. Place on a floured surface and start rolling into a circular shape. Flour a pizza pan and place the dough on it. Leave in a warm place for 10-15 mins.

Heat an oven to 210C (fan) or 230 C (without fan).

Once rested and the tomato sauce is cooled you can progress. Spread the prepared sauce on the base ensuring to cover all the areas. Now add your toppings.

If the oven is at temperature place the pizza into the oven in the middle. Cook for 9-12 minutes (keep an eye). You should now have a delicious homemade pizza. Use a pizza slicer and enjoy.

 

The Result – The cooked Pizza

My Pizza Recipe - The Pizza Cooked and delicious