Classic Margherita Pizza

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 10:04:15 GMT

Step 1

To activate the yeast, heat the water to 100 degrees Celsius. Incorporate the salt and yeast into the warm water.

Step 2

If you're doing it by hand, put the flour in a big mixing bowl and pour in the yeast mixture. With a wooden spoon, stir until a dough forms. Hand-knead the pizza dough until it comes together in a ball. Knead it with both hands for about 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface, until it is firm and stretchy. Toss the dough back into the mixing bowl. Cover with cling film and set aside for 2 hours or until doubled in size in a warm place.

Step 3

Place the flour in the mixer bowl and attach the dough hook to the mixer. Slowly add the yeast mixture to the flour while running the machine at a low speed.

Step 4

Allow the dough to continue mixing at the same speed for another 5-10 minutes, or until it is firm and stretchy. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set aside to rise for 2 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 5

Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces once it has roughly doubled in size, Place each piece of dough in its own bowl or tray, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for another 30 to 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Our best advice is to start with a perfectly rounded ball of pizza dough, as this will help the pizza base maintain its circular shape during the stretching process. Place the dough ball on a lightly floured surface, flour your hands, and press the dough into a small, flat disc with your fingertips. Push the dough outwards while spreading your fingers from the center, slightly expanding the disc. Pick up the pizza dough and pinch it all the way around the edge, allowing gravity to pull it into a circle. Because the bases on Neapolitan-style pizzas are so thin, you should be able to see right through them when you hold them up to the light. You don't want it to tear while you're doing this.

Step 7

After the pizza dough has been stretched completely, lightly flour your pizza peel and place the base on it. If there are any small holes in the dough at this point, gently pinch them together. Once you're satisfied with the base, add your toppings and bake in pizza oven

Step 8

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees Celsius (950 degrees Fahrenheit). Flour your pizza peel lightly.

Step 9

Place the pizza dough on the peel after stretching it.

Step 10

Spread the sauce evenly across the pizza base with a large spoon or ladle, leaving a 1cm (12in) sauce-free border around the edge. Add the mozzarella and a few torn basil leaves on top.

Step 11

Remove the pizza from the peel and place it in the oven.

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