Create the Best Margherita Pizza this Summer
Scream “Who wants Pizza?” in a room and everyone will be takers. After all, it’s one of the most popular and widely eaten foods globally. Its wide availability has led to countless variations and topping choices. But think about sitting on a breezy summer afternoon in the Italian town of Naples. Now, what comes to your mind? Yes, it’s the classic Margherita pizza. With the perfect crusted base, delectable dripping tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella cheese with a hint of basil. Now, what can beat that!
This summer get Italy in your kitchen and get the Margherita onto the menu. Though the Margherita has multiple variations across the world. But the basic ingredients stay the same – tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. The history of pizza says that this classic that originated in the 1850s has variations always in the way the base is made. This loved delicacy back in the days was made in a wood-fired oven that was tucked into the woods surrounding the palace. And the royals greatly enjoyed it.
Interestingly, the Margherita pizza is red, white, and green in colour, the same as that of the Italian flag! Now that is one proud coincidence for the Italians. Their favourite food represents their country so beautifully! A fun fact is that the original creator of the Margherita Pizza, Chef Raffaele Esposito made the first Margherita Pizza for the Queen Margherita of Savoy (Yes, that is where it got its name from!) and worked at the Pizzeria Brandi in Naples, which is still there! So you can always go and grab the OG creation in all its authentic glory.
So if you are planning to make the Margherita pizza at home for your guests, this is all that you will need:
- Wheat Flour
- Yeast
- Water
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh Herbs
- Peeled Tomatoes
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Basil
- Mozzarella Cheese
If you have a wood-fired oven, then nothing better. But in case that is not the case, then that is also not a problem. You could make a perfect crusted pizza right in the comfort of your kitchen.
Instructions to Make the Ultimate Margherita Pizza of Your Italian Dreams!
Get the dough together with wheat flour, salt, olive oil, water and yeast. Let the dough rise. The more you let the yeast do its work, the more bubbly and airy your crust will come out to be. But one thing to note is that don’t get blurred by the simple and few ingredients required for the Margherita. The key is that you need to get quality products and give each step the time it needs. In fact, the most expensive pizza (it retails for 10k! and is made with luxurious toppings) lets its dough rest for about 72 hours before starting the actual pizza-making process.
Now for the sauce, You need to use quality peeled tomatoes or get cherry tomatoes and get them together in a perfect medley with olive oil, loads of garlic (yes, that is the magic ingredient), fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and let it reduce to a beautiful amalgamation! You can work with consistency as and how you like it.
Once your main characters in this act are ready, you can start working on the assembly. Flour your surface well before you start laying the base. Make it nice, firm and elastic. Once laid, add ladles of the sauce, and add fresh mozzarella and basil. Now dribble the extra virgin olive oil to enable the cooking process on the top as well. Now let the star rest in the oven. And you have the most lip-smacking Margherita pizza ready!
You can work with the way you can change the components and ingredients of the base.
Thinking of finding the drink pairing with your pizza? You could go for a light Pinot Grigio. Or if you are looking for a swanky cocktail, then an Aperol Spritz is your companion and partner in crime. There is largely nowhere you can go wrong when it comes to finding the right drink pairing with your Margherita Pizza. All you need is something fruity, light, and bubbly!
And in case you want to ditch the whole process of buying the ingredients or are rushed up with guests coming sooner than you expected and do not have the time to dedicate to cooking the pizza, you can always locate authentic pizza places in your area.
With the popularity of pizza skyrocketing and it being the most popular food option for all age groups, there are multiple options available at your disposal!
Whether it is a games night, a girl’s night in, or just a kids’ sleepover or a movie date! Pizza stays constant. Because there is nothing that it can’t make better! Right?
If you are looking for Margherita pizza places, and have a taste of the authentic Neapolitan delicacy, then you won’t be disappointed. There are many pizza connoisseurs who are around to give you the best pizza experience. So you won’t have to get a ticket all the way to Naples to unite with your cheesy and tomato-ey love!