Pizza

Homemade pizza is a great way to enjoy your time in the kitchen and to experiment culinarily. Making your own dough and tomato sauce allows you to have full control over the ingredients, which is not only healthier but also more satisfying. The process of kneading the dough can be relaxing, and the anticipation of waiting for the dough to rise builds the tension and joy of the upcoming meal. Each step, from activating the yeast to kneading to shaping the pie, is an opportunity to learn and improve your cooking skills. With this recipe, making pizza becomes an enjoyable ritual to celebrate with family and friends.

Homemade pizza also gives you unlimited possibilities for flavour compositions. We can adapt the toppings to our own tastes, choosing our favourite ingredients and creating unique combinations. A freshly baked pizza, with a crispy bottom and aromatic tomato sauce, is a real feast for the senses. Each bite, full of melted cheese and your favourite toppings, is a tasty reward for the effort you put in. Homemade pizza is not only a delicious meal, but also a great way to spend time together and share the joy of cooking with loved ones.

Ingredients:

Pastry:

• 500 g wheat flour type 00 (or plain wheat flour)
• 300 ml warm water
• 25 g fresh yeast (or 7 g dry yeast)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Tomato sauce:

• 400 g tomato puree (passata)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

Extras:

• 300 g mozzarella cheese (can be fresh or grated)
• Favourite toppings: ham, salami, mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives, rocket, etc.

Preparation:

1. Dough preparation:
   1. In a large bowl, mix together the warm water, yeast and sugar. Set aside for about 5-10 minutes, until the yeast is activated and bubbles appear on the surface.
   2. Add olive oil and salt.
   3. Gradually add the flour, mixing until the dough starts to come away from the sides of the bowl.
   4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   5. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a cloth and set aside in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it has doubled in volume.
2. Preparation of tomato sauce:
   1. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and fry the chopped garlic for about 1 minute until it starts to smell.
   2. Add the tomato puree, dried oregano and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   3. Cook over a low heat for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside to cool.
3. Forming the pizza:
   1. Preheat the oven to 250°C (or the maximum temperature it can reach).
   2. Divide the risen dough into two parts and roll out each into a round about 0.5 cm thick.
   3. Transfer the rolled out dough to a baking tray lined with baking paper or to a special stone pizza plate.
4. Adding sauce and accompaniments:
   1. Brush the rolled out dough with tomato sauce.
   2. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella and add your favourite toppings.
5. Baking:
   1. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the edges are golden and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
6. Application:
   1. Remove the pizza from the oven, cut into pieces and serve immediately.

Enjoy!