In today’s post, I am going to tell you about Pizza Margherita. It is a delicious and highly famous pizza recipe from Italy; enjoyed all over the world, it is prized for being both simple and flavorful.This pizza can easily be prepared at home using traditional ingredients; the components include a marinara base, fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan.
The Margherita pizza was first created in 1889 in the Italian city of Naples to mark the visit of Italy’s Queen Margherita. It was prepared by the chef Raffaele Esposito; the Queen greatly enjoyed the pizza created in her honor, and it was subsequently named “Margherita.”The three primary ingredients used in this pizza—red, white, and green—represent the colors of the Italian flag.
Tips
It includes dough (wheat flour), cheese, tomato sauce, fresh basil, and olive oil.
Dough To prepare the dough, wheat flour or all-purpose flour is mixed with water, salt, yeast, olive oil, and other ingredients to create a thin crust.
Cheese It contains tomatoes and basil that have been cut into small pieces.
Tomato Sauce San Marzano sauce is used; it is very simple and made from tomatoes.
Fresh Basil It includes fresh green basil leaves, which are torn by hand and placed on top of the pizza.
Olive Oil Extra virgin olive oil has been used in it.
Preparation Method and Characteristics
To make a Pizza Margherita, a thin, soft crust is first prepared—thin in the center and thicker at the edges—and then cooked over high heat at approximately 500 degrees for about two minutes. Its flavor is simple and natural, free from heavy spices, which is precisely what defines it.
Ingredients
I- 1 pound store-bought pizza dough
II- 2½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
III- Handful of fresh basil, thinly sliced plus small leaves
IV- 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced
V- 1 large can (28 ounces) whole San Marzano tomatoes
Instructions
1- To prepare this, first preheat the oven to 500°F; meanwhile, prepare the dough.
2- Now, take a medium-sized mixing bowl, place it in the sink, and add the tomatoes—including their juices—to it; crush the tomatoes with your hands. Spread approximately three-quarters of a cup of the tomato sauce evenly over each pizza, focusing on the center and leaving about a one-inch margin clear along the edges.
3- Spread the mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza, making sure to add a little extra in the center, as the cheese spreads towards the edges when it melts.
4- Bake the pizza on the top rack of the oven for approximately 10 to 12 minutes until the bottom crust turns golden; if you are using a baking steel, it may be ready in even less time.
5- Finally, top the pizza with fresh green basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with red chili flakes and salt to taste. The pizza is now ready; slice it and serve. You can also store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates – 29g
Calories – 295kcal
Fat – 15g
Saturated Fat – 4g
Protein – 12g
Monounsaturated Fat – 3g
Polyunsaturated Fat – 1g
Cholesterol – 15mg
Sodium – 514mg
Vitamin A – 276IU
Vitamin C – 5mg