Crispy crust pizza

Crispy Crust Pizza

Who doesn't love a crispy crust pizza, perfectly baked, with fresh ingredients and tempting aromas? This crispy crust pizza recipe is the ideal solution for all pizza lovers seeking an authentic culinary experience reminiscent of the best pizzerias. Additionally, the homemade tomato sauce that I will share with you will turn every slice into a true delight.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 2-4 servings, depending on individual appetite

Basic ingredients for the crust:
- 2 cups of flour (approximately 300 g)
- 1/8 cup of olive oil (30 ml)
- 1/2 cup of lukewarm water (120 ml)
- 1/4 cube of fresh yeast (approximately 7 g)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Delicious toppings:
- Dried salami (or any other preferred type)
- Fresh or canned mushrooms
- Colorful bell peppers (for an extra touch of freshness)
- 200 g fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 200 ml tomato sauce (recipe below)

Tomato sauce recipe:
To make a perfect tomato sauce, you need:
- 400 g fresh tomatoes or 1 can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
- Fresh or dried basil

Preparing the sauce:
1. In a pan, heat a little olive oil, add the onion and garlic, letting them sauté lightly until translucent.
2. Add the tomatoes and let simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and basil. Let the sauce cool.

Preparing the crust:
1. In a large glass, rub the yeast with the sugar until it liquefies. Add a tablespoon of lukewarm water and a tablespoon of flour, mixing well. Cover the glass and let it sit in a warm place for 10-15 minutes until foam forms.
2. In a large bowl, combine lukewarm water with oil and salt. When the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the bowl and mix.
3. Start adding the flour gradually, mixing with a wooden spoon until the dough begins to come together.
4. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.
5. Form a ball from the dough, sprinkle it with flour, and cover it with a towel. Let it rise in a warm place for at least 30 minutes or until the dough doubles in size.

Assembling the pizza:
1. Preheat the oven to 170-180°C. If you have a convection oven, you will use it later.
2. When the dough has risen, remove it from the bowl and gently knead it to release the air. Then, stretch it into the pizza pan (size 30 cm x 25 cm) with your fingers, not with a rolling pin, to maintain elasticity.
3. Generously spread the tomato sauce over the pizza crust. Add the slices of salami, mushrooms, and bell pepper, arranging them evenly.
4. Finally, place the slices of mozzarella on top.

Baking the pizza:
1. Place the pizza in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes on the bottom heat, then activate the fan or top and bottom heat for the last 10 minutes until the mozzarella melts and browns slightly.
2. Once the pizza is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Serving suggestions:
This crispy crust pizza is perfect served alongside a fresh salad or with a glass of chilled white wine. If desired, you can accompany it with garlic sauce or a spicy sauce for an extra flavor boost.

Variations and useful tips:
- Experiment with different types of cheese, such as feta or parmesan, for a different taste.
- You can add fresh vegetables, such as zucchini or olives, or even pineapple for a sweet variant.
- If you want to save time, you can use store-bought tomato sauce, but I admit that homemade sauce adds a flavor boost worth the effort.
- Don’t forget to adjust the quantities of ingredients based on the size of your oven and personal preferences.

Nutritional information:
One serving of pizza contains approximately 300-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used. Mozzarella cheese is an excellent source of calcium, and tomato sauce brings essential antioxidants like lycopene, beneficial for health.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast? Yes, you can use 1-2 teaspoons of dry yeast. Make sure to activate it according to the instructions on the package.
- How can I make a thinner crust? Roll the dough out more, but be careful not to make it too thin, so it doesn't tear.
- Is the pizza good the next day? Crispy crust pizza is best fresh, but you can reheat it in the oven to bring back its crispiness.

So now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left is to get cooking! This crispy crust pizza recipe will surely become one of your favorites. Enjoy your meal!