Homemade pizza with a crispy crust

Homemade Pizza with Crispy Crust and Homemade Tomato Sauce

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 40 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4-6

Introduction
There’s nothing more comforting than a homemade pizza with a crispy crust and flavorful tomato sauce, all made with love and care. This recipe will turn your kitchen into a pizzeria, and the enticing aroma will draw your loved ones around the table. Plus, the crust and sauce are so simple to make that you’ll want to recreate them again and again. Let’s start the culinary adventure!

Necessary Ingredients
*For the pizza crust:*
- 300 g flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ packet of dry yeast (about 7 g)
- 150 ml warm water

*For the tomato sauce:*
- 5-6 cloves of garlic
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb mix
- 750 g crushed tomatoes (or peeled fresh tomatoes)
- Salt and pepper to taste

*For the pizza toppings:*
- Mozzarella (to taste)
- Mushrooms (fresh or canned)
- Spicy salami (or any preferred type of salami)
- Gorgonzola (or another type of blue cheese)

Preparing the Pizza Crust
1. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour with the dry yeast and salt. These ingredients form the base for a perfect crust, and the yeast will help the dough rise beautifully.

2. Forming the dough: Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the 3 tablespoons of olive oil and warm water. It’s essential that the water is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.

3. Kneading: Begin kneading the dough with your hands until you achieve an elastic and smooth texture. This process may take between 5 and 10 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky but not stick to your hands. If necessary, you can add a little more flour.

4. Rising: Place the dough in a bowl greased with a little oil, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 40 minutes. This step is crucial as the yeast will activate fermentation and help the dough grow.

Preparing the Tomato Sauce
1. Sautéing the garlic: In a pan, add the 5 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the crushed garlic cloves until they release their aroma. Then, remove them from the pan – we don’t want the sauce to become too strong.

2. Adding the tomatoes: Add the crushed tomatoes and basil leaves to the pan. This sauce will add a fresh and flavorful note to your pizza. Season with salt, pepper, and the Italian herb mix.

3. Simmering the sauce: Let the sauce simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. When the sauce becomes thick, remove the basil leaves and let it cool.

Assembling the Pizza
1. Rolling out the dough: After the dough has risen, sprinkle a little flour on a clean surface. Place the dough and roll it out into a sheet about 1 cm thick.

2. Preparing the tray: Grease a pizza tray with a little olive oil and dust it with flour to prevent sticking. Place the dough on the tray and spread it evenly with the prepared tomato sauce.

3. Adding the toppings: Now comes the fun part! Arrange the mushrooms, slices of spicy salami, and pieces of gorgonzola. Finally, generously add mozzarella. You can experiment with different topping combinations according to your tastes.

4. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese melts and forms those delicious bubbles.

Serving the Pizza
After baking, let the pizza cool slightly – although it will be hard to resist the smell! Cut it into slices and serve immediately. It’s delicious both hot and cold, and the combination of flavors will delight everyone who tastes it. It can be served alongside a fresh green salad or a refreshing drink, such as a tomato juice or a light white wine.

Practical Tips and Variations
- Vary the toppings: Don’t limit yourself to mushrooms and salami! You can add olives, peppers, pineapple, or even seafood, depending on your preferences.
- The crust: If you prefer a thinner and crispier crust, roll the dough out thinner. For a fluffier crust, let it rise longer.
- The tomato sauce: You can also add a pinch of sugar to the tomato sauce to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, or experiment with different herbs.

Nutritional Benefits
Homemade pizza can be a healthy choice, depending on the ingredients used. Whole grain flour can be a healthier alternative for the crust, and vegetable toppings add essential vitamins and minerals. Mozzarella contains protein and calcium, and olive oil is a good source of healthy fats.

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use whole grain flour? Yes, whole grain flour will provide a richer taste and denser texture.
- How can I store the pizza? Pizza stores well in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- Can I freeze the pizza? Yes, pizza can be frozen before baking. Roll out the dough and add the toppings, then freeze. When you’re ready to cook it, you can bake it straight from the freezer, adjusting the baking time.

By trying this homemade pizza recipe with a crispy crust and homemade tomato sauce, you will discover the joy of cooking and sharing beautiful moments with your loved ones. So, get ready to indulge in a delicious pizza made from your heart!

 Ingredients: For the pizza dough: 300g flour, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 packet of dry yeast, 150ml warm water. For the tomato sauce: 5-6 cloves of garlic, 5 tablespoons olive oil, 4 basil leaves, 1 tablespoon Italian herb mix, 750g crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. For the pizza topping: mozzarella, mushrooms, spicy salami, gorgonzola.

 Tags:  pizza recipes pizza pizza sauce