Roman-Italian style pizza

Roman-Italian Style Pizza: A Simple and Delicious Recipe

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 3-4

Who doesn’t love a delicious pizza with a crispy crust and fresh toppings? This Roman-Italian style pizza recipe has been perfected over the years, drawing inspiration from Italy's culinary traditions. It's quick to prepare and makes for an excellent choice for a family meal or a night with friends. With just a few ingredients, this recipe emphasizes quality and authentic flavor.

A Brief History of Pizza

Pizza has a rich history, serving as a symbol of Italian cuisine. It evolved from a simple dough topped with tomatoes and cheese to the sophisticated version we know today. Each region in Italy has its own take on pizza, but the essence remains the same: fresh ingredients and a well-defined cooking technique. This recipe blends Italian tradition with a touch of Romanian creativity, evoking pleasant memories and unforgettable flavors.

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 1 cup (300 ml) room temperature water
- Flour (approximately 500 g, depending on humidity)
- 1 cube of fresh yeast or 1 packet of dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- A splash of olive oil

For the toppings:
- 2-3 tablespoons tomato sauce (preferably with onion, garlic, and basil)
- Dried oregano, to taste
- Fresh or canned mushrooms, sliced
- Prague ham or bacon, cut into thin slices or cubes
- 150 g grated cheese or Emmental
- 150 g mozzarella (preferably in balls, but grated mozzarella works too)
- Olives, to taste
- 1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper
- Cherry tomatoes, sliced or 1 sliced tomato

Preparation Instructions

1. Making the dough: In a large bowl, dissolve the fresh yeast in warm water (if using dry yeast, mix it directly with the flour). Add the salt, sugar, and a splash of olive oil. Gradually add the flour until the dough no longer sticks to your hands. This is an essential technique for achieving perfect dough. You can use wheat flour, which gives a better flavor.

2. Setting the dough aside: Once the dough is ready, cover it with a clean towel and set it aside while you prepare the toppings. No long rising time is needed; it will rise sufficiently while you work on the other ingredients.

3. Preparing the toppings: Cut the Prague ham or bacon into cubes or thin slices, depending on your preference. Wash the mushrooms and slice them. Cut the bell peppers into slices or cubes, and thinly slice the tomatoes. If you have mozzarella in balls, slice it.

4. Rolling out the dough: On a clean surface, sprinkle a little flour and roll out the dough into a shape that fits your baking tray. It’s ideal to use parchment paper to prevent sticking.

5. Assembling the pizza:
- Spread the dough with tomato sauce and sprinkle oregano.
- Generously add the grated cheese for a rich flavor.
- Arrange the toppings: evenly distribute the bacon slices, mushrooms, and bell peppers to cover the entire surface of the dough.
- Sprinkle more cheese or mozzarella on top.
- Add slices of tomatoes interspersed with olives and bell pepper slices.

6. Baking the pizza: Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Place the tray in the oven and bake the pizza for about 25 minutes. It’s done when the crust is golden brown on the bottom, and the cheese has melted and started to brown.

Helpful Tips

- Dough moisture: Flour can absorb water differently, so it’s important to adjust the amount of flour to achieve a non-sticky dough.
- Variety of toppings: Experiment with different toppings! Pizza can be customized with thin slices of salami, canned tuna, and corn, or even grilled vegetables.
- Tomato sauce: Use a good quality tomato sauce to add extra flavor. You can make it at home by combining tomatoes, onion, garlic, and basil.
- Avoiding excess tomatoes: Don’t add too many tomato slices, as they can release juice and make the pizza soggy.

A Personal Serving Suggestion

For a complete culinary experience, serve the pizza alongside a cold beer, ideally a Romanian one, but any other choice will be welcome. For an extra burst of flavor, add a few fresh basil leaves on top of the pizza before serving.

Nutritional Values

This pizza, rich in cheese and fresh vegetables, offers a good source of protein and calcium. Additionally, the vegetables add essential vitamins. It’s a satisfying meal, perfect for enjoying with loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of flour should I use?
- Wheat flour is the most suitable for pizza. You can also use whole wheat flour for a healthier option.

2. Can I use dry yeast?
- Yes, dry yeast is an excellent alternative. Make sure to mix it with the flour before adding water.

3. How can I make the pizza crispier?
- Bake the pizza at a higher temperature and ensure that the tray is well preheated before placing the dough.

4. What other recipes can I try?
- If you love pizza, you should also try focaccia or calzone, both of which are equally delicious and versatile.

This Roman-Italian style pizza recipe is simple, quick, and full of flavor. It’s sure to become your favorite, just as it has for my husband. Enjoy every bite and cherish the moments spent in the kitchen!

 Ingredients: For the dough: 1 cup (300ml) of water (at room temperature) flour (until it no longer sticks to your hands) 1 cube of fresh yeast / 1 small cup of dry yeast 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar a bit of olive oil Topping ingredients: 2-3 tablespoons of tomato sauce (I prefer the Italian ones with onion, garlic, and basil) dried oregano fresh sliced mushrooms or from 1 can Prague ham / thinly sliced bacon or diced (as you prefer) 150g grated cheese or Emmental 150g mozzarella (preferably in balls, but pre-grated is also good - depending on what you find and it can also be replaced with grated cheese) olives 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper cherry tomatoes sliced or 1 sliced tomato

 Tags:  pizza