Introduction
The Margherita Pizza is an iconic Italian dish that captures the essence of simple yet flavorful ingredients coming together in perfect harmony. This recipe honors its roots while ensuring a delightfully crispy and cheesy base, complemented by vibrant tomatoes and fresh basil.
Tips for this recipe
To achieve the best results with Margherita Pizza, use high-quality ingredients and don’t shy away from using your hands to stretch the dough slightly thinner than usual for a perfect crust. Ensure your oven is preheated at the right temperature before baking.
Why you will love this recipe
The Margherita Pizza’s uncomplicated ingredients, when skillfully combined and cooked with precision, create a symphony of flavors that appeal to both novice and experienced food enthusiasts. Its rustic charm is as delightful visually as it is in taste, making it an ever-popular choice for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons flour, for the work surface
1 ball Pizza Dough
1 tablespoon semolina flour, for the pizza paddle
2 tablespoons olive oil, for brushing the dough
1/2 cup Tomato Sauce
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and cut into 6 chunks (not slices)
1/4 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 Genovese basil leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Advised equipment
– Pizza Stone: For an authentic crispy crust.
– Silpat Baking Mat: Nonstick surface ideal for rolling out dough.
– Pizza Peel: To slide the pizza onto a preheated oven stone smoothly.
– Wooden Spoon: Essential for mixing and folding ingredients.
– Pizza Roller (Pizza Press): Ensures an even crust thickness.
– Professional Mixer with Dough Hooks: For thorough dough preparation.
– Oven Thermometer: To verify oven temperature accuracy.
– Digital Scale: Accurate ingredient measurement for perfect baking.
– Silicone Spatula: Versatile in various stages of pizza-making.
– Pizza Cutter: For cutting the cooked pizza into even slices.
– Cast Iron Skillet (for home oven use): An excellent alternative to a pizza stone for baking at home.
History of the recipe
The Margherita Pizza, named after Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889, was created by a Neapolitan pizzeria as an homage to Italian unification and its colors. It symbolizes Italy’s flag with tomato sauce representing red, mozzarella cheese for white, and basil leaves for green. The Margherita Pizza represents not only culinary history but also the joy of coming together around a shared table.
Fun facts about this recipe
Did you know that Margherita Pizza was almost lost to history? It’s believed that before its creation, Neapolitan pizzerias would often offer various uncooked ingredients on the dough. The simplicity of Margherita transformed into a culinary masterpiece and is now considered one of the most iconic foods worldwide. Its influence extends beyond Italy’s borders, inspiring numerous variations while keeping true to its heartwarming origins.
