Classic Italian Pizza Margherita
Take your taste buds on an Italian fling. Prepared with the simplest ingredients; fresh basil, tomato and chewy mozzarella, this pizza can transport you to Italy. If something is worth celebrating; make a Margherita!
Preparation time: 2 to 3 hours
Makes: 2; 10” pizzas
Ingredients
500 grams pizza dough
250 grams mozzarella cheese, sliced
500 grams (or 2 large) ripe tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup basil, cut into ribbons
1 clove garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
For making pizza dough
Add 2 cups all-purpose flour and one teaspoon salt. Make a well in the centre, add 1 teaspoon yeast and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add required quantity of water and knead the dough for about 5 minutes. It’s done when the dough is tacky. Cover and keep in an oiled bowl till the dough rises double its size. It may take from one to two hours.
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 550°F. Divide the dough into two balls, and flatten them into 10” rounds.
Add the tomatoes, garlic and half quantity of basil in the food processor, and blend it into a smooth sauce.
Spread the sauce evenly over the dough, and top off with mozzarella slices. Add salt and pepper.
Place them on a baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes. If the crust is brown and cheese is bubbling, then the pizza is cooked.
Sprinkle with the remaining basil leaves, and serve once it cools down.