In these days of necessary confinement, many of us are finding solace in the kitchen. Pizza, undoubtedly one of the most beloved and frequently prepared dishes, has become a staple during this time. Here’s the easiest recipe for crafting a delicious homemade pizza.

In this period of quarantine, where we are compelled to stay home to safeguard everyone’s health, an increasing number of people are discovering (or rediscovering) the joy of cooking. Friends and family are now showcasing their latest culinary creations on WhatsApp, competing to see who can whip up the most delectable and visually appealing dishes.

Among the top ten homemade dishes, pizza undoubtedly reigns supreme. Its basic dough consists of just a few simple ingredients, making it a delightful dish to both prepare and savor.

Here is the recipe to make pizza dough at home, reminiscent of the one found in pizzerias. It’s a straightforward base recipe requiring only a handful of ingredients, allowing for personalization with preferred toppings. Moreover, it’s an accessible recipe for all, producing a thick and fluffy pizza without the need for a stand mixer or dough kneader.

Before diving in, two important tips:

• If you want to create a high, soft, and quickly leavened pan pizza, opt for instant dry yeast activated with 2 teaspoons of sugar.
• For a perfect result, experiment with the double-cooking method: initially, cook the pizza for a few minutes on a griddle, then finish it in a high-temperature oven.

Ingredients

• 500 g all-purpose flour (or a mix of bread and all-purpose flour)
• 400 ml water
• 3 g fresh yeast or 1.5 g instant dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 50 ml olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Procedure

1. Mix the bread and all-purpose flour (or use only all-purpose flour) and add the yeast, combining everything.
2. In another spacious bowl, pour warm water, add olive oil, and gradually incorporate the flour handful by handful. Once half of the flour is used, add a tablespoon of salt, mix, and finish adding the remaining flour, again, handful by handful.
3. After this process, you’ll have a dense and sticky dough. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume (approximately 2 hours).

After the rising time, take a 35×35 cm baking tray or oven pan, grease it generously with olive oil, pour the dough, and, with oiled hands, spread it evenly across the tray.

If you want to make a red-based pizza, after adding salt, oil, and spices to your liking, pour warm tomato sauce over the dough and let it rise for another 10 minutes. Alternatively, add your chosen ingredients (remember to add mozzarella only 5 minutes before the end of baking) and bake the pizza for about 25 minutes at 210°C in a static oven or 200°C in a convection oven.

Bon appétit and happy pizza-making!