Pizza, a universal symbol of Italian cuisine, has its roots in Naples in the 18th century. However, it wasn’t until 1889 that the Margherita pizza as we know it today was created. Legend has it that pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito made a special pizza in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy (we actually had a “Queen Margrethe” in Italy too!), topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the colors of the Italian flag. The Queen was so impressed with this creation that Esposito decided to name it after her: Pizza Margherita.

Today, pizza is one of the most beloved and widespread dishes in the world, recognized for its simplicity and versatility. In Italy, it represents much more than just a dish: it is a moment of community, a connection to tradition and an expression of cultural pride.

Neapolitan Pizza: a standard of excellence

Neapolitan pizza is famous for its soft dough and high, fluffy crust. It follows a strict set of guidelines set by the "Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana" (AVPN), which defines the precise rules for dough preparation, ingredient selection, and cooking methods. The Neapolitan pizza recipe below closely follows these guidelines, ensuring an authentic and delicious result.

Recipe for Neapolitan pizza dough

• Ingredients (for 4 pizzas, 30-32 cm in diameter):

  • 1 liter of water
  • 1.6-1.8 kg "00" flour (preferably Italian)
  • 50 g sea salt
  • 3 g fresh yeast (or 1 g dry yeast)
  • 50 g extra virgin olive oil (optional)

• Procedure :

  1. Dissolve the yeast in water at room temperature.
  2. Gradually add the flour and knead until the dough is smooth and homogeneous.
  3. Add the salt and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  4. Let the dough rest for 2 hours, covered with a damp cloth, then form dough balls of approximately 250 g each.
  5. Let the dough balls rise for 6-8 hours at room temperature.

Baking in a home oven

Although the ideal Neapolitan pizza requires a wood-fired oven that reaches 485°C, excellent results can still be achieved in a home oven. Here's how:

1. Preheat the oven : Set the oven to the highest temperature, usually between 270°C and 300°C.
2. Use a baking stone or steel sheet : Place the stone or steel sheet in the oven during preheating so that it becomes very hot.
3. Prepare the pizza : Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, add toppings, and transfer the pizza to the hot stone or plate.
4. Bake quickly : Bake the pizza for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is well risen and golden and the mozzarella is melted.

The Importance of High Quality Ingredients

For an authentic Neapolitan pizza, the quality of the ingredients is essential. Using high-quality "00" flour ensures a soft and elastic dough. The mozzarella, whether buffalo or fior di latte, must be fresh and of high quality in order to melt well without releasing too much water. San Marzano DOP tomatoes, with their sweet and rich flavor, are essential for the sauce, while Italian extra virgin olive oil adds depth to the flavor.

Personalization with herb oils and parmesan cheese

To personalize the flavor of your pizza and add a finishing touch, you can use seasoning oils such as truffle oil, chili oil or basil oil, and flakes of Parmigiano Reggiano . These customizations enhance the flavor and make your pizza even more special.

Recipes for Different Pizzas

1. Pizza Margherita :

   • Ingredients :
     • San Marzano DOP tomatoes
     • Buffalo Mozzarella DOP or Fior di Latte
     • Fresh basil leaves
     • extra virgin olive oil 

2. Pizza Marinara:

   • Ingredients :
     • San Marzano DOP tomatoes
     • Garlic
     • Oregano
     • Fresh basil leaves
     • extra virgin olive oil 

3. Pizza Diavola:

   • Ingredients :
     • San Marzano DOP tomatoes
     • Mozzarella Cheese
     • Spicy salami
     • extra virgin olive oil 

4. Pizza Capricciosa :

   • Ingredients :
     • San Marzano DOP tomatoes
     • Mozzarella Cheese
     • Cooked ham
     • Artichokes
     • Mushrooms
     • Black olives
     • Fresh basil leaves
     • extra virgin olive oil 

5. Pizza Prosciutto and Mushrooms :

   • Ingredients :
     • San Marzano DOP tomatoes
     • Mozzarella Cheese
     • Cooked ham
     • Mushrooms
     • Fresh basil leaves
     • extra virgin olive oil 

6. Pizza Four Cheese "Quattro Formaggi" :

   • Ingredients :
     • Mozzarella Cheese
     • Gorgonzola
     • Parmigiano Reggiano
     • Smoked Provola
     • extra virgin olive oil 

7. Tuna and Onion Pizza :

   • Ingredients :
     • San Marzano DOP tomatoes
     • Mozzarella Cheese
     • Tuna in high-quality olive oil
     • Thinly sliced ​​red onion
     • Fresh basil leaves
     • extra virgin olive oil 

Buon appetito!