Classica Margherita
Classic Margherita
About This Recipe
Are you looking for a delicious cheese recipe with a difference? If you are, you’ve found it! Here’s my classic margherita for you to enjoy.
Most babies are weaned off their mother’s milk with puréed food, I’m sure my mother weaned us off on pizza as I just don’t ever remember life without it. This classic tomato and mozzarella pizza originally was created for the Queen of Naples, Margherita. Never use buffalo mozzarella as it is too milky and will make your pizza base very soggy. Fresh basil is a must: don’t you ever attempt to do my pizza with dried basil from a jar, it will ruin a masterpiece! If you like it hot, you can always drizzle a little chilli oil on top before serving. Makes 2 Pizzas
Ingredients
- 200g strong white flour plus extra for dusting
- 7g fast-action dried yeast
- pinch of salt
- 140ml water, warm
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus extra for brushing
for the topping
- 200g passata (sieved tomatoes)
- 2 mozzarella balls, drained and cut into little cubes
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 8 fresh basil leaves
- to taste salt and pepper
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Feast your eyes on the finest classic margherita! It’s straightforward and fun to make this great dish. Simply follow the instructions below and get the perfect result.
Step By Step
- Prepare 2 baking trays by pouring 1 tablespoon of oil on each tray and spreading it with your fingers or pastry brush. Brush the inside of a large bowl with oil.
- To prepare the dough, put the flour, yeast and salt into a large bowl, make a well in the centre and pour in the water with 1 tablespoon of oil. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything together to create a wet dough.
- Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and work it with your hands for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in the oiled bowl, brush the top with oil and cover with clingfilm. Leave to rest at room temperature for 25 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6.
- Once rested, turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and divide it into 2 equal halves. Use your hands to push each one out from the centre, to create 2 round discs about 25cm in diameter. Place the pizza bases on the oiled baking trays.
- Spread the passata evenly over the top of the bases using the back of a tablespoon. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the mozzarella between the 2 pizzas and drizzle each one with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Cook in the middle of the oven for 18 minutes until golden brown.
- Two minutes before the end of the cooking, scatter over the basil and continue to cook. Serve hot and enjoy with your favourite cold beer.
Once you’re done, simply sit back and enjoy your classic margherita and don’t forget to check out other great authentic Italian recipes including great antipasti recipes, Italian pasta recipes, Italian soup recipes, Italian beef dishes and authentic pizza recipes.
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