Margherita Pizza
Margherita Pizza is a pizza made for a Queen (literally); it was created by Don Raffaele Esposito, tthe owner of Pietro Il Pizzaiolo a famous pizzeria during thatt time. He was tasked to prepare a special dish for Queen Margherita Teresa Giovanni during her visit in Naples during 1889. The ingredients was well thought off which resulted to symbolize the Italian Flag where the ingredients used matched all the colours, red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil).
A really simple pizza and in fact one of the most basic ones but I will certainly beat the flavours of some intricately flavoured pizza versions once done right. My secret is good dough, lots of mozzarella, good quality tomatoes, fresh basil and lots of love and passion for cooking. How about you do you know any simple dishes that do taste really good, if you do please post you link here and I would love to try them.
Ingredients (Pizza Crust)
2 1/4 tsp yeast
1/3 cup water, Warm
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dry oregano leaves
1 cup water, cold
3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour + 1/2 cup for dusting
1 1/2 tbsp corn oil
1 tbsp + 1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup cornmeal (or ground corn chips)
olive oil for greasing the pan
Ingredients (Toppings)
6 Roma tomatoes, sliced
2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
4 tbsp tomato puree
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
whole basil leaves
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt
freshly ground black pepper
olive oil
Method
1. Mix yeast and 1 tsp sugar on warm water, set aside until very bubbly.
2. Now combine the rest of the ingredients for the crust but using only 1 1/2 cup of flour with the yeast mixture. Mix with a spatula until it forms a batter.
3. Now slowly add the remaining flour and start kneading in a floured surface (don’t knead the dough too much that the texture is tough)
4. Now place it in a big greased bowl and cover it with a cling wrap, make sure it will handle twice the size of the dough. Place in a warm location (I usually place it in an oven preheated to 60C then turned off) for around 45 minutes or until it doubled the size.
5. Once doubled, remove from container, deflate and continue to knead, flatten using a rolling-pin make sure the thickness is no greater than 5mm, place it in a well-greased pan, brush with oil and dust with corn meal.
6. Mix the tomato puree with minced garlic, salt and black pepper. Set aside
7. Place your toppings brushing the dough with olive oil initially, then with the tomato puree mix, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and tomato slices. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
8. Place in a preheated over at 230C for 20 to 25 minutes. Once cooked place basil leaves on top, add as much as you like
Your pizza looks perfect and simple. Just like it should be (not like my pizzas, overloaded with garnish…). Cornmeal in the pastry is very intriguing…
The tomatoes on your pizza make me think of the shiso and tomato salad I have recently discovered and can’t stop making it…
Ok, now I’m hungry for pizza! This looks absolutely perfect.
One of my favorites and now I know the story behind it!
You are so right…this is a simple but delicious dish. I always love that i get educated here about my food. Thanks Raymond. My favorite simple soup is cream of mushroom. Mine, actually does not have cream and I use wild mushrooms so it’s elevated but easy! http://sweetandcrumby.com/2011/01/02/snowed-in-rained-in-mushroom-soup/
simple but not to be taken lightly.. i didn’t know it was made for the queen… thanks. simple dishes? uhm i can’t think of any at the moment… i’ll let you know if something came up
The pizza crust looks crunchy and oh my it looks delicious!
The plenty of cheese on top is so tempting and lovely color.
Interesting that you use oregano and cornmeal in the crust. Cornmeal could add great crunch. Simple and delicious pizza
Ooooh…my favorite pizza! yours looks wonderful! Your pizza dough recipe looks most interesting. I’ve never tried putting cornmeal in it, but I’ve bookmarked this and the next time I make pizza I’ll try your dough recipe to see how it turns out. Thanks!
Now that’s one gorgeous pizza. I wouldn’t mind eating a few slices right now.
Thanks for the background story–too cool!
Who doesn’t love an amazing margherita pizza recipe. I know I love this recipe
Mmmm, my very favorite! I like to make a non-traditional addition of roasted red peppers on my margaritas… goes great with the mozz and basil!
yummy! I love just tomatoes and cheese on my pizza. this is perfect for me!
I like pizzas a lot,
what a delight to see your post.
smiles.
You are nominated under cooking category, please take some time to
Vote before July 2, feel free to vote for cooking blogs not included in the list,
Have fun exploring your peer’s cooking skills/treats,
Thanks for the time!
Your submission is pot of gold to us…
Bless your day….
xoxox
you win one vote already since you are nominated, you will win another vote for yourself if you vote for others, when you vote,l the chance to win is BIG…
Pingback: Swedish Capricciosa (Ham, Cheese and Mushroom Pizza) « Ang Sarap (A Tagalog word for "It's Delicious")
Margherita is always my favorite!
Pingback: Spicy Chorizo and Chilli Pizza « Ang Sarap (A Tagalog word for "It's Delicious")
So glad I found that! Will definitely try!
Pingback: Cheeseburger Pizza « Ang Sarap (A Tagalog word for "It's Delicious")