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PIZZA

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ByPolochelo

How to Make an authentic Italian Pizza

Making an authentic Italian pizza at home is a delightful experience, offering a taste of Italy right in your kitchen. Here’s a simple guide to help you create a classic Italian pizza.

Ingredients:

  • Pizza Dough:
    • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 1 tbsp active dry yeast
    • 1 cup warm water
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Toppings:
    • 1/2 cup tomato sauce (preferably San Marzano tomatoes)
    • 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
    • Fresh basil leaves
    • 200g mozzarella cheese, sliced
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Dough:
    1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
    2. Mix yeast with warm water and let it sit until frothy, about 10 minutes.
    3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture. Stir until the dough begins to form.
    4. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth.
    5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  2. Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to the highest temperature, ideally between 475°F (245°C) to 500°F (260°C), with a pizza stone inside.
  3. Prepare the Toppings:
    • In a small bowl, mix the tomato sauce with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  4. Shape the Dough:
    • Knock back the risen dough and divide it into balls. Let them rest for a few minutes.
    • On a floured surface, flatten one ball of dough and stretch it into a thin round shape using your hands or a rolling pin.
  5. Assemble the Pizza:
    • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the base of the dough.
    • Arrange slices of mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves on top.
    • Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the pizza.
  6. Baking:
    • Transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone.
    • Bake in the oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
  7. Serve:
    • Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
    • Drizzle a little more olive oil and fresh basil leaves if desired before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Italian pizza hot and fresh! It’s perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.