Description
A classic Margherita pizza with bright tomato, molten mozzarella, and fresh basil, focusing on a slow ferment for flavor and a high-heat bake for that perfect char.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 300 g (1 1/4 cups) water
- 10 g (2 tsp) fine sea salt
- 2 g (1/2 tsp) instant yeast
- 15 g (1 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
- 400 g (14 oz) canned San Marzano peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 200 g (7 oz) fresh mozzarella, torn and lightly drained
- Fresh basil leaves (about 10–12 leaves)
- Salt and 1 tsp sugar (optional) to balance sauce acidity
- Extra-virgin olive oil for finishing
- Semolina or cornmeal for dusting
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 500 g all-purpose flour and 2 g instant yeast. Add 300 g water and mix with a spoon until no dry flour remains, 1–2 minutes. Do not overwork; this is a rough mix.
- Add 10 g fine sea salt and 15 g olive oil, then fold into the dough for 30–60 seconds until cohesive. Let rest, covered, 20 minutes.
- Perform 3 sets of stretch-and-fold in the bowl every 20 minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled container, cover, and refrigerate for 12–24 hours.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface, divide into four 250 g balls, and shape lightly. Preheat oven with steel or stone on the top rack to 275°C (525°F) for at least 45 minutes.
- On a well-floured board, press each ball from center to edge to form a 25–28 cm disk.
- Spread ~80 g crushed San Marzano tomatoes per pie, leaving the rim bare. Add 50 g torn fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Slide pizza onto the preheated steel and bake 6–10 minutes.
- Remove pizza, tear fresh basil over the top, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.
- Repeat for remaining pies.
Notes
Clean your peel and surface between pies to avoid sticking. Expect 8–12 minutes total bake time per pizza.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-12 minutes per pizza
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg