Pizza Margherita Recipe

Name: Pizza Margherita
Prep time: 2 h 10 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 2 h 16 min
Yield: per 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 lb Italian "00" flour or all-purpose flour; 1 oz fresh yeast; 2 cups water; 1 teaspoon salt; 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 lb mozzarella cheese; basil leaves to taste; 1 lb canned tomatoes; salt to taste

Ingredients

2 lb Italian "00" flour or all-purpose flour
1 oz fresh yeast
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 lb mozzarella cheese
basil leaves to taste
1 lb canned tomatoes
salt to taste

PREP TIME 2h10m	COOK TIME 6m	TOTAL TIME 2h16m
YIELD per 6 servings

Instructions

On a wooden or marble work surface, shape the flour into a well. Place the yeast, salt and warm water in the center.
Be careful not to let the salt come in contact with the yeast.
Knead the dough vigorously with your hands for 15-20 minutes, or in a mixer, until the dough is soft and smooth.Once you have the right consistency, adding a bit of water or flour if necessary, shape the dough into a ball.
Cover with a plastic bowl so that the dough is protected from the air. Let rise for 3 or 4 hours at room temperature for about an hour in a warm place.
Once the dough will be doubled in volume, ricavatene 6 loaves, modellateli in spherical shapes, cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and let them rise at room temperature for a couple of hours or in a warm place for about 45 minutes.
As soon as the loaves have doubled in volume, prepare the tomato sauce and place it in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and 1/3 of the olive oil.
Knead the dough, then flattening them using your fingers.
Use a ladle or a spoon to spread a good amount of tomato sauce on the pizza. Then, cover with mozzarella, torn into pieces. Garnish with a couple leaves of basil and bake in a 480° F oven for 5 or 6 minutes.
Once ready, remove the pizza from the oven. Garnish with more basil and a drizzle of oil. Serve immediately.