Introduction:
Pizza Margherita is a classic Neapolitan pizza that has become one of the most popular pizzas in the world. The pizza is named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, who visited Naples in 1889 and was served a pizza made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. The colors of the pizza - red, white, and green - were said to represent the colors of the Italian flag, making it a patriotic dish. In this article, we'll explore the ingredients needed to make Pizza Margherita and provide a step-by-step guide on how to make it at home.
Ingredients:
To make Pizza Margherita, you will need the following ingredients:
1 pound pizza dough
1/2 cup tomato sauce
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1: Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 500°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat it as well.
2: Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. If the dough shrinks back, let it rest for a few minutes before rolling it out again.
3: Add the tomato sauce: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4: Add the cheese: Arrange the sliced mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce.
5: Add the basil: Sprinkle the fresh basil leaves over the cheese.
6: Drizzle with olive oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the pizza.
7: Season with salt and pepper: Season the pizza with salt and pepper to taste.
8: Bake the pizza: Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9: Serve and enjoy: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Perfect Pizza Margherita:
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Pizza Margherita:
1: Use high-quality ingredients: Since this pizza has only a few simple ingredients, it's important to use high-quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor. Use fresh mozzarella cheese and ripe, flavorful tomatoes.
2: Let the dough rest: After rolling out the dough, let it rest for a few minutes before adding the toppings. This will help the dough relax and prevent it from shrinking back.
3: Don't overload the pizza: This pizza is all about simplicity, so don't overload it with too many toppings. Stick to just the tomato sauce, cheese, and basil.
4: Use a pizza stone: Using a pizza stone will help give your pizza a crispy crust and even cook.
5: Add some garlic: For a bit of extra flavor, try adding some minced garlic to the tomato sauce before spreading it on the pizza.
Variations of Pizza Margherita:
While the classic recipe for Pizza Margherita is delicious on its own, there are many variations that you can try to mix things up. Here are a few ideas:
1: Margherita with prosciutto: Add some thinly sliced prosciutto to the pizza after it comes out of the oven for a salty, savory twist.
2: Margherita with arugula: Add some fresh arugula to the pizza after it comes out of the oven for a peppery, green flavor.
