Classic Neapolitan Pizza Recipe

Neapolitan pizza, originating from Naples, Italy, is celebrated for its simplicity and the exquisite flavors of its high-quality ingredients. This recipe will guide you through crafting an authentic Neapolitan pizza with a perfectly charred crust, vibrant tomato sauce, and creamy mozzarella.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups 'Tipo 00' flour
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can (28 oz) San Marzano tomatoes, hand-crushed
• 16 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
• Salt to taste

Dough Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit until frothy, about 5 minutes.
2. Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead until the dough comes together and forms a smooth, elastic ball.
3. Coat the dough lightly with olive oil and place it in a bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Sauce Preparation:

1. For the sauce, hand-crush the San Marzano tomatoes in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix gently.

Assembling the Pizza:

1. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature, ideally with a pizza stone inside.
2. On a floured surface, stretch the dough by hand to form a thin, round base.
3. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving the edges clear for the crust.
4. Arrange slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
5. If desired, add a few fresh basil leaves.

Baking the Pizza:

1. Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is puffed up and charred in spots.
2. Remove from the oven and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Conclusion: Serve your Neapolitan pizza hot, reveling in the harmony of its simple yet profound flavors. This classic dish is a testament to the beauty of Italian cuisine, where quality ingredients and traditional methods come together to create something truly extraordinary.