Neapolitan Pizza & Its Recipe 🍕🇮🇹

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Neapolitan pizza (Pizza Napoletana) is one of Italy’s most iconic dishes, originating from Naples. It is characterized by its thin, soft, and airy crust with a slightly charred edge (cornicione), simple yet high-quality ingredients, and a short baking time in a high-temperature wood-fired oven. This pizza follows strict traditional guidelines set by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), ensuring authenticity.

The classic version, Pizza Margherita, features a thin base topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella (preferably Mozzarella di Bufala Campana), fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt. The high heat (around 485°C or 905°F) in a wood-fired oven cooks the pizza in just 60 to 90 seconds, giving it a crispy yet tender texture.

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Recipe

Ingredients for one 12-inch (30 cm) pizza:

For the dough:

  • 500 g (4 cups) “00” flour (Italian soft wheat flour)
  • 325 ml (1 ⅓ cup) lukewarm water
  • 3 g (1 teaspoon) fresh yeast or 1 g (¼ teaspoon) dry yeast
  • 10 g (2 teaspoons) salt

For the topping:

  • 200 g (¾ cup) canned San Marzano tomatoes (crushed)
  • 125 g (4.5 oz) fresh mozzarella (Fior di Latte or Mozzarella di Bufala)
  • 4–5 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • A pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preparing the Dough:

  1. Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water and let it sit for a few minutes.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and gradually pour in the water while mixing.
  3. Add salt and knead the dough for about 10–15 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise at room temperature for 8–24 hours.
  5. Divide the dough into balls (about 250 g each) and let them rise for another 4–6 hours.

2. Preparing the Sauce:

  1. Crush the San Marzano tomatoes with your hands or a blender.
  2. Add a pinch of salt and mix (do not cook the sauce).

3. Assembling the Pizza:

  1. Preheat a pizza stone or baking steel in your oven at the highest temperature (250°C/482°F) for at least 45 minutes.
  2. On a floured surface, stretch the dough gently with your hands into a thin round shape.
  3. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on top, leaving about 1 cm (½ inch) around the edges.
  4. Tear the mozzarella into pieces and place them evenly on the pizza.
  5. Add fresh basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil.

4. Baking:

  1. If using a pizza oven, bake at 485°C (905°F) for 60–90 seconds.
  2. If using a home oven, bake at the highest temperature (250°C/482°F) for 6–8 minutes or until the edges are golden and slightly charred.

Enjoy Your Neapolitan Pizza! 🍕✨

Neapolitan pizza is best served fresh, hot, and with a drizzle of olive oil. Its simplicity allows each ingredient to shine, creating a delicious and authentic taste of Italy! Would you like a variation 😊

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