Pizza Margherita

Name: Pizza Margherita
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes four 12-inch pizzas
Ingredients: 1 1 ⁄ 2 tsp. active dry yeast; 7 cups 00 flour, preferably Caputo brand, plus more; 4 tsp. sugar; 4 1 ⁄ 2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Olivestri Siloro brand, plus more for drizzling; 1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, preferably Cento brand, undrained, passed through a food mill; 8 oz. mozzarella fior di latte ovoline or mozzarella di buffala, thinly sliced and patted dry with paper towels; 16 basil leaves, torn by hand

The classic Neapolitan pie, adapted for an American home oven.

Serves
makes four 12-inch pizzas

TODD COLEMAN

By Tony Gemignani

Published on September 13, 2011

The recipe for this classic pie will work in home ovens; it's our adaptation of a recipe from chef Tony Gemignani, owner of Tony's Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco.

Ingredients

1 ¹⁄₂ tsp. active dry yeast
7 cups 00 flour, preferably Caputo brand, plus more
4 tsp. sugar
4 ¹⁄₂ tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Olivestri Siloro brand, plus more for drizzling
1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, preferably Cento brand, undrained, passed through a food mill
8 oz. mozzarella fior di latte ovoline or mozzarella di buffala, thinly sliced and patted dry with paper towels
16 basil leaves, torn by hand

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Instructions

Step 1

Make the dough: In a small bowl, whisk together yeast and 3⁄4 cup plus 2 tbsp. water heated to 85º. Let sit for 10 minutes. Put flour and sugar into bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix on low speed to combine. With mixer on, add yeast mixture, 1 tsp. oil, and 1 1⁄2 cups ice-cold water; knead until smooth and a dough forms around hook, 7 minutes. Add salt and continue kneading for 2 minutes more. (If dough feels dry, add a few tbsp. cold water.) Divide dough into four portions, roll into tight balls, and transfer to a lightly floured baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2

Remove dough from refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Put a pizza stone on lowest rack in oven and heat oven to 500º; heat for at least 40 minutes.

Step 3

Make the pizzas: Working with one piece of dough at a time, dust with flour; using your hands, stretch and shape dough into a 11–13-inch circle. Transfer dough to a sheet of parchment paper. Drizzle oil around rim of dough. Spoon about 1⁄4 cup tomato sauce onto dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Season with salt. Arrange one quarter of cheese evenly over pizza. Drizzle pizza with more oil; using a pizza paddle or grasping the edges of the parchment paper, transfer pizza to pizza stone. Bake until golden brown, about 13 minutes. Slide parchment paper onto a pizza paddle or the back of a baking sheet and transfer to a work surface. Top with basil, drizzle with more oil, if you like, and slice. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings, and reserve remaining sauce for another use, such as pasta.