Only a few ingredients are needed for this delectable Italian pizza recipe. You will need tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and green basil. These few ingredients are significant, however. They represent the colors of the Italian flag. In her article, "Margherita Pizza," published in the 2003 issue of Cuisine at Home, Pamela Sheldon Johns tells the history of this simple dish. A bread maker created it especially, in honor of Italy's Queen Margherita’s visit to Naples in 1889. Apparently, the Queen loved the dish. Today, many cooks around the world still make this simple and easy dish.
This classic italian pizza recipe couldn't be easier, and the few ingredients are probably already on hand.
Pizza Stone and Pizza Peel
Firstly, you need to make your own dough. You can use any basic pizza dough recipe or French bread recipe of your choice.
For the best results, you should also use a pizza stone and peel. The stone will absorb the heat and maintain the proper temperature. As a result, the pizza dough will be more crisp and crunchy. A pizza peel, on the other hand, is a flat wooden shelf with a wooden handle. It is used to slide the pizza dough onto the stone to bake, and off the stone once it is cooked.
The Directions
Put the pizza stone on the lowest shelf of the oven. For best results, use a wood-fired oven. If you do, make sure to choose the right firewood to complement your taste in pizzas. Then, heat the oven and pizza stone to 550 degrees. Before putting it in the oven, shape the dough by pushing and pulling or rolling it with a rolling pin. Make sure to dust the pizza peel with plenty of cornmeal. Then, once the dough reaches 9 to 12 inches in diameter, slide the dough onto the pizza peel.
Slice or chop three or four fresh tomatoes, and place them evenly on the dough. You can also use canned chopped tomatoes, instead of fresh tomatoes. Then, place thin slices of Mozzarella on top of the tomatoes. Drizzle a little olive oil and sprinkle a little salt on top of the pizza.
Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone in the oven. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes until the edges are brown and crispy. The cheese should also be melted. Slide the pizza onto the peel. Next, use scissors to cut thin strips of eight to ten basil leaves. Finally, sprinkle the basil strips on top of the Mozzarella.
Now the pizza has all the colors of the Italian flag, just as the original Pizza that Queen Marguerita had. Cut into slices and enjoy!
Flatbread Pizza Snack
Commercial flatbread is a satisfactory substitute for homemade pizza dough if time is short. It's also good for a quick lunch or snack. Pepperoni, olives, meat, mushrooms, and other favorite pizza toppings can be added for those who want them, but Pizza Marguerita is delicious with only the basic ingredients.
This Pizza Marguerite Italian pizza recipe is an easy, healthy, and satisfying treat for family and friends. Use homemade pizza dough, french bread dough, or even flatbread. Just be sure to dust the pizza shelf liberally with cornmeal, so it will slide easily onto the pizza stone. There probably won't be leftovers, but if there should be, just save them for snacks tomorrow.