Pizza is one of the most iconic dishes in the world, and it originated in Naples, Italy. While there are countless variations of pizza, the traditional Neapolitan-style pizza uses essential ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and a thin, crispy crust made using high-quality flour. If you want to make authentic Italian pizza at home, here is the ultimate guide to perfect your pizza-making skills.
Choose the Right Flour:
To make a traditional Neapolitan-style pizza, you need to start with the right flour. The Italians have been making pizza for centuries, and the classic Neapolitan pizza dough recipe requires flour that is high in protein, also known as Tipo 00 flour. It is finely ground, which creates a silky texture that produces a softer, more pliable dough.
The Perfect Dough:
To make good pizza, it’s all about the dough. The dough should be soft, airy, and crispy. Traditional Neapolitan pizza dough is made with simple ingredients like water, yeast, salt, and flour. To make a great pizza dough, you need to mix the ingredients, knead the dough, and let it rest for at least 24 hours at room temperature. This time allows the dough to ferment, leading to a more flavorful crust when baked.
Use High-Quality Ingredients:
The key to making Italian pizza is to use the freshest ingredients. Start with high-quality, san Marzano canned tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and high-quality meats and vegetables. The authenticity of the ingredients is what makes Italian pizza so special, so make sure to use real prosciutto di Parma or salami, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
The Secret to a Crispy Crust:
The secret to a crispy crust is a high-temperature oven. Authentic Italian pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven, which can reach temperatures as high as 900 degrees Fahrenheit. This intense heat is what gives the pizza crust its crispy texture. While you may not have a wood-fired oven at home, you can still achieve a crispy crust by using a pizza stone or a baking sheet and preheating the oven to the highest temperature possible.
The Authentic Toppings:
While there are countless pizza toppings out there, traditional Italian pizza toppings are simple and delicious. Margherita pizza, for example, uses san Marzano canned tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Another popular Italian pizza topping is prosciutto and arugula