Pizza

Pizza Recipe

Hello! We are going to prepare a delicious homemade pizza, perfect for sharing with family or friends. This dish is versatile and allows us to enjoy fresh ingredients and traditional flavors. Preparing pizza at home is simple and rewarding, making the meal special and nutritious.

Preparation time

Organize your time well so that the pizza turns out perfect.

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 15 minutes
• Total: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the dough

• 250 g wheat flour
• 150 ml of warm water
• 5 g of dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

For the sauce

• 200 ml of marinara sauce (recipe here)
• 1 finely chopped garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

For the filling

• 150 g of grated mozzarella cheese
• 100 g of diced ham
• 1 tomato cut into thin slices
• Fresh basil leaves

If you don't have wheat flour, you can replace it with a mix of whole wheat flour and oat flour for a different touch, keeping in mind that the dough's texture might vary slightly.

Utensils we will use

• Large mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Spoon or spatula for mixing
• Frying pan or baking sheet
• Rolling pin for spreading the dough (you can use a clean bottle if you don't have a rolling pin)
• Cheese grater

Preparation

1. Dough preparation

1. Activate the yeast: Dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it rest for 5 minutes until foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active and working correctly.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In the bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix well to distribute the salt evenly.
3. Add liquids and knead: Pour the yeast water and olive oil into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula and then knead with your hands on a clean surface until you get a smooth and elastic dough, approximately 10 minutes.
4. Resting: Form a ball with the dough and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a cloth and let it rest in a warm place for 30 minutes for the dough to double in size.

2. Sauce Preparation

1. Mix ingredients: In a bowl, mix the marinara sauce with the minced garlic and dried oregano.
2. Rest: Let the mixture develop flavor for at least 15 minutes before using, so the sauce infuses better.

3. Assembling the Pizza

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 220 °C (428 °F) so it's ready for baking.
2. Roll out the dough: Roll out the dough with a rolling pin or bottle on the greased baking sheet, trying to maintain a uniform thickness of approximately 5 mm.
3. Add the sauce: Spread the sauce over the rolled-out dough base with a spoon, making sure to leave the edges free to form the crust.
4. Add the cheese and ingredients: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then distribute the ham cubes and tomato slices. Add fresh basil leaves at the end to preserve their aroma.

4. Baking the Pizza

1. Bake: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is golden and the cheese bubbles and begins to brown.
2. Check and adjust: Monitor the cooking; if you see the cheese browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.

To finish and serve

When the pizza is ready, take it out of the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes so it doesn't burn and the flavors settle. Cut into portions and serve hot. You can accompany it with a fresh salad or even some wings. For a more complete experience, combine with other Italian dishes like ham and cheese spirals from this recipe.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Protein: 15 g
• Fats: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g

These values are approximate per serving and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

5 keys to make it perfect

• Use fresh or active dry yeast: This ensures good dough rising, fundamental for texture and volume.
• Warm water for the yeast: Avoid extreme temperatures; the water should not be hot enough to kill the yeast nor so cold that it doesn't activate.
• Let the dough rest well covered: This helps it rise correctly without forming crusts.
• Roll out the dough carefully: It should be neither too thin nor too thick; a uniform thickness prevents parts from being raw or burnt.
• Bake in a very hot oven: High temperature helps achieve a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

Pizza is ideal for family or friends gatherings, especially on weekends or informal celebrations. Its versatility makes it perfect for any season of the year, whether accompanied by a cool drink in summer or a red wine in winter. Furthermore, it is an excellent option for appetizers or quick and nutritious dinners, which everyone enjoys at home.

Similar recipes and their differences

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Did you try making pizza at home? How did it turn out? Did you add any special ingredients? Feel free to comment on your experiences and variations. Your personal tricks can help others enjoy this recipe even more!

Culinary glossary

• Dry yeast: It is an ingredient that helps the dough rise, fermenting and releasing gases.
• Marinara: Simple tomato sauce with garlic, oregano, and sometimes onion, used for pizzas and pastas.
• Roll out: The action of flattening the dough with a rolling pin or hands to give it shape and size.
• Rest: Leave the dough in a warm place so that it doubles in size through the action of yeast.
• Crust: Outer edge of the pizza, the crispiest and most toasted part.