Margherita Pizza Recipe

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1. 1

   Prepare the Dough

   Start by preparing the pizza dough. If using store-bought dough, skip to step 2. For homemade dough, mix flour, water, yeast, and salt in a bowl until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth. Let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place until doubled in size.

2. 2

   Preheat the Oven

   Preheat your oven to 250°C (482°F) or as high as it can go. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.

3. 3

   Make the Sauce

   In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add canned San Marzano tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.

4. 4

   Stretch the Dough

   Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll out each portion into a 12-inch circle, ensuring the edges are slightly thicker for the crust.

5. 5

   Assemble the Pizza

   Spread a thin layer of the prepared tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Tear the mozzarella and fresh mozzarella into pieces and distribute them evenly over the sauce. Add fresh basil leaves on top.

6. 6

   Bake the Pizza

   Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

7. 7

   Finish and Serve

   Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and let it cool for a minute. Slice and serve hot, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.