This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to make a traditional Italian pizza. The Neapolitan pizza dough is thinner, lighter, and crispier than other pizzas, and the toppings are made of fresh ingredients. The ingredients needed are listed as well as instructions to prepare the pizza, beginning with the preparation of the dough, activating the yeast, mixing the dough, kneading the dough, resting the dough, rolling out the dough, adding toppings, baking the pizza, and garnishing with basil leaves. The article concludes by stating that making traditional Italian pizza requires good quality ingredients and patience.

The Art of Making Traditional Italian Pizza

Introduction

Pizza is one of the most famous Italian dishes known all around the world. It’s simple yet delicious and comes in many variations. The origin of pizza can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but the modern pizza we know today was created in Naples, Italy in the 18th century. The Neapolitan pizza dough is thinner, lighter and crispier than other pizzas, and is topped with fresh ingredients. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to make the perfect traditional Italian pizza.

Ingredients

To make a traditional Italian pizza, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 500g ’00’ flour
• 7g active dry yeast
• 325ml lukewarm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 500g fresh mozzarella, shredded or sliced
• 1 can of whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, blended
• 1 handful fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Follow these simple instructions to make your traditional Italian pizza:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, add 500g of ’00’ flour, 1 tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of sugar. Mix the dry ingredients together.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Add 7g of active dry yeast to 325ml of lukewarm water and stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast becomes frothy.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

Add the activated yeast mixture to the flour mixture, along with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Mix everything together until you have a dough.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Flour a work surface and move the dough onto it. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 5: Rest the Dough

Place the dough in a clean bowl and cover it with a damp kitchen towel. Leave it to rest for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 6: Roll Out the Dough

Preheat the oven to 220C (425F) and place a baking sheet in the oven. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle shape, about 1cm (0.4in) thick.

Step 7: Add the Toppings

Remove the preheated baking sheet from the oven and carefully move the pizza dough onto it. Spread the blended San Marzano tomatoes evenly over the dough, leaving a small edge. Sprinkle the shredded or sliced mozzarella on top of the tomatoes.

Step 8: Bake the Pizza

Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Step 9: Garnish with Basil Leaves

Remove the pizza from the oven and add a handful of fresh basil leaves on top. Serve immediately.

Conclusion

Making a traditional Italian pizza is simple, but it requires good quality ingredients and patience. The dough needs time to rest and rise, which is essential to achieve a light and crispy crust. With this recipe as a guide, you can now create your own delicious pizzas at home. Experiment with different toppings and create your favourite combinations. Buon Appetito!