How to make Italian pizza at home

 Making Italian pizza at home can be a fun and rewarding experience! Here's a basic recipe to make a traditional Italian-style pizza:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour (preferably Italian "00" flour)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp active dry yeast

3/4 cup (180ml) warm water

1 tbsp olive oil

For the Tomato Sauce:

1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if possible)

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp olive oil

Salt to taste

Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Toppings:

Fresh mozzarella cheese (preferably buffalo mozzarella), torn into pieces

Fresh basil leaves

Olive oil (for drizzling)

Optional toppings: prosciutto, mushrooms, olives, etc.

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough:

In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.

Mix together until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the Sauce:

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt to taste.

If you'd like, add some fresh basil to the sauce for extra flavor.

3. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to the highest temperature (500°F or 260°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.

4. Shape the Dough:

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 2 equal portions (for 2 pizzas).

On a floured surface, roll out each dough portion into a round shape (about 10-12 inches in diameter). You can use your hands to stretch it into shape if you prefer.

5. Assemble the Pizza:

Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Add the torn mozzarella cheese pieces evenly over the sauce.

Add any other toppings you like, such as fresh basil leaves, mushrooms, or prosciutto.

6. Bake the Pizza:

Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.

Bake for about 7-10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Finish the Pizza:

Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and drizzle with a little olive oil.

Add some fresh basil leaves on top if you like.

Slice and serve!

Tips:

For an authentic touch, use high-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and extra virgin olive oil.

If you don't have a pizza stone, you can bake the pizza on a baking sheet or an inverted sheet pan for a crispier crust.

Experiment with different toppings to make your pizza unique, but try to keep it simple to maintain the traditional Italian flavors.

Enjoy your homemade Italian pizza!