The secret of Neapolitan pizza

2024. 03. 11.

The origin and history of pizza

In the beginning, pizzas were made only from bread dough, which was enriched with various local ingredients - mostly tomatoes, cheese and spices. Then in 1889, an Italian chef, Raffaelle Esposito, came, who prepared the "Pizza Margherita" in honor of the then Queen of Italy, Margherita di Savoia. The food wore the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella) and green (basil).

We did not exaggerate when we wrote that Neapolitan pizza is a feeling of life: this food has practically become the embodiment of the spirit and hospitality of the city, whose cultural significance has been recognized by UNESCO. This is how Neapolitan pizza making was added to the list of intellectual cultural heritage in 2017.

How is Neapolitan pizza?

You may wonder what makes Neapolitan pizza so special? The secret lies in the details: the quality of the ingredients, the way the dough is prepared, and last but not least, the baking technique.

The two main ingredients of the pizza are San Marzano tomatoes grown on the fertile soil of the Vesuvius volcano and mozzarella di bufala made from buffalo milk. These authentic ingredients ensure that the taste of Neapolitan pizza remains unique and recognizable.

And making the perfect Neapolitan pizza is nothing short of an art. Here, too, there is a secret: unrefined sea salt, fresh yeast, high-quality Italian wheat flour and clean water are necessary for its preparation. The method of baking is also unusual, as it has to be prepared in a wood-burning oven, which results in a very high temperature (485°C). Thanks to this, the pizza can be ready in seconds (90 seconds).

Making Neapolitan pizza is therefore a complex process based on respect for traditional recipes and a passionate selection of quality ingredients.

How to make Neapolitan pizza at home?

For the perfect result, you will need quality ingredients, patience and a good recipe. We provide the latter for you.

1. Procurement of basic materials

You will need the following for the dough:

• 1000 ml of water
• 50 grams of sea salt
• 3 grams of yeast
• 1.8 kg of Italian wheat flour

 The ingredients for the topping are as follows:

• San Marzano tomato
• mozzarella (preferably mozzarella di bufala)
• fresh basil

If you choose ingredients of inadequate quality, the taste experience may be reduced.

2. Making the dough

Mix the flour, salt and yeast, then add the water and knead into a smooth, elastic dough. (Use an Ankarsrum stand mixer) It is important that the dough rests for a sufficient time: first cover it with a kitchen towel and let it stand in the heat for 2 hours, then put it in the fridge for another 24 hours.

Resting the dough is key. If you let it rest for too short a time, the dough will not be sufficiently flexible and airy.

3. Rolling the dough

After resting, divide the dough into smaller balls and roll them by hand to preserve the air bubbles that will raise the edge of the pizza.

When rolling Neapolitan pizza dough, it is important not to press too hard in the middle of the dough. Applying too much pressure will force out the air and make the pizza flatter.

4. Adding the toppings

Spread the pasta thinly with the tomato sauce, place the mozzarella slices on top and sprinkle with fresh basil leaves. You can also spray a little olive oil on it.

Neapolitan pizza is all about simplicity. You should maintain balance and strive for moderation, as too much topping can make it difficult for the dough to bake and spoil the final result.

5. The baking

Preheat the oven or (even better:) the pizza oven to the highest temperature possible, and it may also be worth using a pizza stone. The pizza is ready when the bottom of the dough is crispy.

Neapolitan pizza is best baked at a high temperature. If your oven is not hot enough, the pizza will not be crispy and airy.

Summary

We can safely say that making Neapolitan pizza at home is an art in itself. Its preparation is not only a harmonious interplay of ingredients and preparation method, but also a true Italian feeling of life. Here are some additional accessories for pizza baking!

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