Pizza

Perfect Homemade Pizza: Your Recipe for a Delicious Evening

Pizza is undoubtedly one of the most beloved dishes in the world. Whether you enjoy it out in the city or make it at home, each slice brings with it an explosion of flavors and an unforgettable culinary experience. In this recipe, I will show you step by step how to make a soft and fluffy pizza crust, similar to that of pizzerias, but with a personalized twist that will delight your taste buds.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 55 minutes
Number of servings: 2 large pizzas (36 cm tray)

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 500 g flour (preferably type 00 for a more elastic dough)
- 250 ml lukewarm water
- 25 g fresh yeast (or 7 g dry yeast)
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons olive oil

For the topping:
- Thinly sliced ham
- Pepperoni (optional, for a stronger flavor)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 250 g fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 300-400 g mozzarella, sliced or grated

For the tomato sauce:
- 400 g canned tomatoes (diced or whole)
- 2 cloves of garlic (optional, for a richer taste)
- Oregano, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Chili flakes (optional, for a spicy sauce)

Preparing the dough

1. Preparing the ingredients. Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients for the dough. Make sure the flour is of good quality, and the water is lukewarm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.

2. Activating the yeast. If using fresh yeast, dissolve it in a glass with 50 ml of lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of honey or sugar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until foam forms on the surface, indicating that the yeast is active. If using dry yeast, you can skip this step.

3. Making the dough. In a large bowl, combine the flour with the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the activated yeast (or dry yeast), lukewarm water, and olive oil. Mix the ingredients with your hands until a homogeneous dough forms, then knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it no longer sticks to the bowl.

4. Letting the dough rise. Place the dough in a bowl greased with a little oil, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Preparing the tomato sauce

1. Sautéing the garlic. In a small pot, heat the olive oil and add the 2 cloves of garlic, crushed. Sauté them for 1 minute, being careful not to brown them, as the taste will become bitter.

2. Adding the tomatoes. Pour the canned tomatoes into the pot, add salt to taste, and a teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reduces slightly and becomes more concentrated.

3. Seasoning the sauce. Finally, add oregano and chili flakes if you want a spicy sauce. Mix well and let the sauce cool.

Assembling the pizza

1. Preheating the oven. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Prepare two pizza trays by sprinkling a little cornmeal on the bottom to prevent sticking.

2. Dividing the dough. When the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts. On a floured surface, stretch each piece of dough with your hands, forming a disc that fits the tray.

3. Adding the sauce and toppings. Spread 4-5 tablespoons of sauce on each pizza crust and spread it evenly. Then, add slices of ham, mushrooms, bell peppers, and mozzarella.

4. Baking the pizza. Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake the pizza for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges of the crust are golden and crispy.

Serving and suggestions

Once the pizza is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. You can serve it plain or with a yogurt or tzatziki sauce on the side. You can also add fresh basil leaves for an extra touch of flavor and freshness.

Variations and helpful tips

- Topping variations: Try combinations like pineapple with ham, grilled vegetables, or even seafood for a gourmet pizza.
- Gluten-free dough: You can replace regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend available in specialty stores.
- Pizza bread: If you don’t have time to make pizza, you can transform the dough into pizza bread. Add herbs and cheese to the dough, shape it into a loaf, and bake at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.

Calories and nutritional benefits

A serving of pizza (1/8 of a large pizza) contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the toppings. Pizza can be a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals due to the ingredients used. Mozzarella provides calcium, while fresh vegetables offer fiber and antioxidants.

Frequently asked questions

- Why isn’t my dough rising? Make sure the yeast is active. If using fresh yeast, check if foam has formed after activation.
- Can I freeze pizza? Yes, you can freeze the dough or assembled pizza. Make sure to wrap it well to avoid freezer burn.
- How can I make pizza healthier? Use whole wheat flour for the dough and add fresh vegetables as toppings.

This homemade pizza recipe will help you create a delicious meal, perfect for a family evening or a gathering with friends. Don’t forget to experiment with the ingredients and find the perfect combination that suits your taste. Enjoy every slice and savor this culinary experience!

 Ingredients: For 2 large pizzas (that is, a round tray with a diameter of 36 cm) Dough: 500 g flour 250 ml warm water 25 g fresh yeast (or 1 teaspoon dry yeast/7 g) 1 tablespoon honey or sugar 1 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons olive oil Topping: very thinly sliced ham pepperoni 1 bell pepper 250 g fresh mushrooms 300-400 g mozzarella Tomato sauce: 1 can of tomatoes (chopped or whole) 400 g oregano to taste 2 garlic cloves (optional) 1 teaspoon sugar 3 tablespoons olive oil salt to taste chili flakes (optional if you want it spicy)

 Tags:  pizza pizza dough