Pizza Margerita - Napoli (Naples)

When selecting tomatoes for your pizza, it is best to use fresh, organic tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are the most commonly used for pizza, but you can also use vine-ripened tomatoes for a sweeter flavor. Look for tomatoes that are bright red and plump and avoid any that are soft or bruised.

For the cheese, use fresh mozzarella. Look for mozzarella that is labeled "fior di latte" which is made from cow's milk. This type of cheese melts well and has a creamy, mild flavor. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it does not melt as well and can be dry. The basil is another important ingredient. Fresh basil leaves should be bright green and fragrant. Avoid any that are wilted or have brown spots.

Dough
For the dough, it is important to use high-quality, all-purpose flour. The dough should be kneaded until it is smooth and elastic, and then allowed to rise for at least an hour. Follow these steps:

1. Begin by combining 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the ingredients together to combine.
2. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add 1 ¼ cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Begin stirring the ingredients together. Once the ingredients are combined, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
5. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead it for a few minutes. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and roll each piece into a 10-inch round.

Sauce
The absolute best marinara sauce for pizza begins with canned San Marzano tomatoes but you can use similar tomatoes if you cannot get your hands on those. Crush the tomatoes by hand and put in a large saucepan with a few cloves of garlic and a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until garlic is softened and tomatoes have cooked down for about 15 minutes. Once cooked, season with oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, let cool and puree with a blender or food processor until creamy and smooth. Return sauce to saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat until desired thickness is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Lastly, add some fresh basil for an extra layer of flavor. This marinara is best used immediately. 

Assemble
Before you assemble the pizza, you want to season and prepare your surface. Make sure your surface is clean. We recommend a pizza stone, or a pizza pan. Using a paper towel, spread some olive oil on the surface. Lightly drizzle the surface with corn grits, salt, pepper, and oregano (optional) to taste. This will make the dough crispy and tasty.

Spread the dough to roughly make it fit on to your stone or pan. Carefully place the dough on the stone pan and stretch to make it fit the entire surface. At this point, if you want, you can roll the edges but it will not be necessary. Spread the sauce on the dough, and cover the entire surface using a brush. 

Pre-Bake (optional)
At this point, you can choose to pre-bake your pizza for 8-10 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit to make it sturdy and crisp. When you pull it out of the oven, make sure the bottom is becoming crisp and slightly brown.

Bake
Arrange the cheese and tomatoes on top, then sprinkle with the basil and a drizzle of olive oil.
A - If you did not pre-bake the pizza as we suggested, bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
B - If you did pre-bake the pizza as suggested, you should now bake the pizza with the toppings for an extra 5 minutes. Check if the cheese has melted. Check if the crust is golden brown at the bottom. Bake for an extra minute or two until desired crisp is achieved.

Bonus
If you have some at hand, balsamic vinegar reduction might be a great addition to your pizza.

Enjoy your delicious, homemade Pizza Margherita! Buon Appetito!