Making traditional Italian pizza from scratch is a rewarding culinary experience. With just a few simple ingredients and some love for the art of cooking, you can bring the authentic flavors of Italy to your kitchen. Here's a step-by-step guide.

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1. The Essentials: Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups (450g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 packet (7g) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce

• 1 can (400g) San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and dried oregano to taste

For the Toppings

• Fresh mozzarella (preferably buffalo mozzarella)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil for drizzling

2. Preparing the Pizza Dough

1. Activate the Yeast:
   In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

2. Mix the Dough:
   In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring until a dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough:
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. Let It Rise:
   Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1-2 hours in a warm place until it doubles in size.

3. Making the Tomato Sauce

1. Blend the Tomatoes:
   Blend San Marzano tomatoes into a smooth consistency.

2. Cook the Sauce:
   Heat olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the blended tomatoes, salt, and oregano. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

4. Assembling the Pizza

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature (ideally 475°F or 250°C) and place a pizza stone inside to heat.

2. Shape the Dough:
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into portions (for 2 pizzas). Roll out each portion into a thin, round base.

3. Add the Sauce and Toppings:
   Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the dough. Tear the mozzarella into pieces and distribute evenly. Add fresh basil leaves.

4. Drizzle Olive Oil:
   Finish with a light drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.

5. Cooking the Pizza

1. Bake the Pizza:
   Transfer the pizza to the preheated stone using a pizza peel. Bake for 7-10 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.

2. Final Touches:
   Remove the pizza from the oven, drizzle with more olive oil if desired, and let it cool for a minute before slicing.

6. Serving and Enjoying Your Creation

Serve your traditional Italian pizza immediately with a side of mixed greens or a glass of Italian wine. The simplicity of the flavors is what makes this dish special.

Conclusion

Making traditional Italian pizza from scratch may require time, but the end result is worth every effort. With high-quality ingredients and a bit of practice, you can achieve a restaurant-quality pizza right at home. Buon appetito!

Source: https://nutrition-me.org