Traditional Margherita Pizza Recipe

The Margherita Pizza and Pepperoni Pizza are quintessential examples of classic Italian food recipes simple, elegant, and incredibly flavorful. With its tri-color toppings of red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil, the Margherita is said to represent the Italian flag. Named after Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889, this timeless food recipe showcases how just a few high-quality ingredients can create something truly special. Rooted in Naples and cherished worldwide, the Margherita pizza is the perfect food recipe for anyone wanting to experience authentic Italian flavors at home.

Ingredients

For the Dough (makes 2 medium pizzas):

• 3 ½ cups (450g) all-purpose flour or Italian "00" flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 packet (7g) active dry yeast
• 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Toppings:

• ¾ cup (200g) canned San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
• 200g (7 oz) fresh mozzarella (preferably mozzarella di bufala or fior di latte), torn
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
• Salt to taste

Instruction

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
• In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
• Mix and knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8–10 minutes until smooth.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise for 2–3 hours or until doubled in size.

2. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to its highest temperature (450–500°F or 230–260°C), ideally with a pizza stone or steel inside.

3. Shape the Dough:

• Divide the dough in half. Stretch each portion into a 10–12 inch circle using your hands. Avoid using a rolling pin to keep the dough airy.

4. Add the Toppings:

• Spread a thin layer of crushed tomatoes over each base. Lightly season with salt.
• Evenly distribute the mozzarella pieces.
• Add a few basil leaves and drizzle lightly with olive oil.

5. Bake the Pizza:

• Transfer to the hot stone or baking sheet.
• Bake for 7–10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
• Remove, add fresh basil if desired, and serve immediately.

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