
Pizza Margherita
1 hr 50 mins total time
35 mins active time
Medium
Makes 4 pizzas
Ingredients
Measurements:
For the dough:
- 3⅓ cups (17½ oz) bread flour
- 2 tsp instant dried yeast
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp flaky sea salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup (8 oz) lukewarm water
approximately
For the pizza sauce:
- 14½ oz can whole tomatoes
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt
- ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
For the topping:
- ¼ cup (2 fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil
plus extra to serve
- 2 cloves garlic
crushed
- 2 x 4½ oz buffalo mozzarella
- 1 cup (½ oz) basil leaves
To serve:
- Flaky sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- 1To make the dough, put the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, mix to combine. Add the oil and water and mix on medium-low speed for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. (Alternatively, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the oil and water and mix until the dough comes together, add an extra tablespoon of water if necessary. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.)
- 2Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour or until the dough doubles in size.
- 3Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and punch down to remove the excess air. Knead the dough into a smooth ball. Divide into four, 6 ½ oz pieces.
- 4To make the pizza sauce, put all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until well combined. Transfer to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside to cool. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- 5To make the topping, combine the oil and garlic in a small bowl.
- 6Tear each buffalo mozzarella into 5-6 pieces.
- 7To make the pizza, turn the ON/OFF switch to the ON position and PREHEAT the pizza oven for 15 minutes.
- 8Roll out each piece of pizza dough to form a 9 ½-inch round and put each on a 11 ¾-inch square piece of parchment paper.
- 9Prick the crusts with a fork or pizza docker.
- 10Spread 1 tablespoon of the garlic oil over each pizza crust. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce over each crust.
- 11Divide the mozzarella and basil evenly among the crusts.
- 12Select the THIN crust setting.
- 13Transfer one of the pizzas (still on the parchment paper) to the hot pizza stone and close the lid. Cook for 2 minutes.
- 14Open the lid and quickly slide the parchment paper out carefully. Close the lid and cook for a further 4-5 minutes until browned. Monitor the cooking progress through the viewing window. Topping should be cooked and golden and crust crisp and brown.
- 15Open the lid carefully with oven mitt and transfer the pizza to a cutting board.
- 16Repeat with the remaining pizzas.
- 17Drizzle with extra olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Slice and serve.