Pizza Margherita

Ingredients for Pizza Margherita

• 1 (5g) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons )

• 220g unbleached plain flour, divided, plus more for dusting

• 180ml warm water, divided

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 (14-to 425g ) can whole tomatoes in juice

• 2 large garlic cloves, smashed

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 basil leaves plus more for sprinkling

• 1 plus more for sprinkling

• 1/4 teaspoons sugar

• 170g fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

• Equipment: a pizza stone

How to make Pizza Margherita

Stir together yeast, 1 tablespoon flour, and 60ml warm water in a large bowl and let stand until surface appears creamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't appear creamy, discard and start over with new yeast.)

Add 300ml flour, remaining 120ml water, salt, and oil and stir until smooth. Stir in enough flour (30 to 40g ) for dough to begin to pull away from side of bowl. (Dough will be slightly wet.)

Knead on a floured surface, lightly reflouring when dough becomes too sticky, until smooth, soft, and elastic, about 8 minutes. Form into a ball, put in a bowl, and dust with flour. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and let rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, about 1 1/4 hours.

Pulse tomatoes with juice in a blender briefly to make a chunky purée.

Cook garlic in oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium-low heat until fragrant and pale golden, about 2 minutes. Add tomato purée, basil, sugar, and 1/8 teaspoons salt and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced to about 110g , about 40 minutes. Season with salt and cool.

At least 45 minutes before baking pizza, put stone on oven rack in lower third of electric oven (or on floor of gas oven) and preheat oven to 260°C.

Do not punch down. Dust dough with flour, then transfer to a parchment-lined pizza peel or large baking sheet. Pat out dough evenly with your fingers and stretch into a 14-inch round, reflouring fingers if necessary.

Spread sauce over dough, leaving a 1-inch border (there may be some sauce left over). Arrange cheese on top, leaving a 2- to 3-inch border.

Slide pizza on parchment onto pizza stone. Bake until dough is crisp and browned and cheese is golden and bubbling in spots, 13 to 16 minutes. Using peel or baking sheet, transfer pizza to a cutting board. Cool 5 minutes. Sprinkle with some basil leaves before slicing.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.