Neapolitan Pizza

Embrace the essence of Italy with this traditional Neapolitan Pizza recipe, originating from Naples. This pizza is celebrated for its simple, fresh ingredients and its distinctively charred, yet soft and elastic crust. A culinary emblem of Italian heritage, Neapolitan Pizza brings the authentic flavors of Italy right to your kitchen.

Preparation Time: 2 hours (including dough rising)
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time: N/A
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Serving: 2 pizzas

Ingredients:

1. For the Dough:
   • 4 cups of type 00 flour
   • 1 tsp salt
   • 1/2 tsp dry yeast
   • 1 1/2 cups of water, lukewarm
2. Toppings:
   • 1 cup of San Marzano tomato sauce
   • 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
   • Fresh basil leaves
   • Extra virgin olive oil
   • Salt to taste

Method:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add water and knead until the dough is smooth (about 10 minutes).
   • Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise at room temperature for 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
2. Shape and Top:
   • Preheat your oven to its highest setting (450-500°F or 250-260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
   • Divide the dough into two balls. On a floured surface, gently stretch out the dough into a round shape, about 12 inches in diameter.
   • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over each pizza base, leaving the edges clear for the crust. Distribute slices of mozzarella and a few basil leaves on top. Drizzle with a little olive oil and add a pinch of salt.
3. Bake:
   • Transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.

Notes:

• The key to authentic Neapolitan pizza is simplicity and quality of ingredients—use the best quality mozzarella and tomatoes you can find.
• For the true Neapolitan experience, cooking in a wood-fired oven is preferred, but a very hot conventional oven will work well too.
• Handle the dough gently to ensure a light, airy crust.

Nutritional Information per Serving (Based on USDA Guidelines):

• Calories: 870 kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 120g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sodium: 2000mg
• Sugars: 8g

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