Pizza

The weekend is approaching, and the thought of a delicious pizza is tempting you? It's the perfect time to put on your apron and start cooking. A homemade pizza will not only delight your taste buds but also bring you a lot of satisfaction in the end. In this recipe, I will show you step by step how to prepare a pizza with a soft dough, a flavorful sauce, and a rich filling, all designed to help you achieve a perfect result.

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4-6

Necessary ingredients:

For the dough:
- 1 teaspoon of dry yeast
- 150 ml warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rye flour
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Approximately 500 g white flour (may vary depending on humidity)

For the sauce:
- 1/2 can of tomatoes in juice
- 4 cloves of garlic
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oregano and basil, to preference

For the filling:
- Turkey ham, sliced
- Chicken pastrama, sliced
- Mozzarella balls
- Grated cheese
- Crumbled cow telemea
- Quail eggs (4-6 pieces, depending on preference)

Preparing the dough:

1. Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, mix the dry yeast with the sugar and add a little warm water (about 50 ml). Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is essential to ensure that the yeast is active.

2. In a large bowl, combine the white flour, rye flour, salt, and dried thyme. You can use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients or use a kitchen mixer if you prefer.

3. Add the activated yeast and olive oil to the bowl with flour. Start kneading the dough, gradually adding the rest of the water (about 100 ml). Continue kneading until you obtain an elastic and homogeneous dough. If it is too sticky, feel free to add a little more white flour.

4. Shape the dough into a ball and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, for 30 minutes, until it doubles in volume.

Preparing the sauce:

5. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Put all the ingredients (tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil) in a blender and blend until you get a smooth sauce. This combination will give the pizza a fresh and aromatic taste.

6. Pour the sauce into a pot and simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to intensify the flavors. Once boiled, let it cool.

Preparing the filling:

7. While the dough is rising, you can prepare the filling. Slice the turkey ham and chicken pastrama into thin slices, and cut the mozzarella into balls. Grate the cheese and crumble the telemea. You can adjust the quantities based on your preferences. Don't hesitate to add fresh vegetables like peppers or mushrooms to enrich the filling.

Assembling the pizza:

8. After the dough has risen, sprinkle flour on the work surface and roll out the dough into a round sheet about 0.5 cm thick. Make sure the dough does not stick to the surface by adding extra flour if necessary.

9. Transfer the dough to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. This step will make cleaning easier later and will prevent the pizza from sticking.

10. On the edge of the dough sheet, sprinkle half of the grated cheese and the crumbled telemea. Then, roll the edge of the dough to form a border. This will prevent the filling from spilling out and will give the pizza a nice appearance.

11. Spread a generous layer of tomato sauce on the base, leaving some sauce for serving. Then, add the slices of turkey ham and pastrama, the mozzarella balls, and cover with the remaining grated cheese.

Baking the pizza:

12. Preheat the oven to 220°C. Once the oven is ready, place the pizza inside and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy.

13. About 10 minutes before it's done, carefully crack the quail eggs on top. These will add a special touch and a delicious texture.

14. Put the pizza back in the oven and let it bake until the eggs are cooked and the crust is perfectly browned.

Serving and variations:

15. Once the pizza is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Cut it into slices and serve with the remaining sauce on top or on the side.

16. You can experiment with different ingredients: add olives, peppers, mushrooms, or even pineapple if you like the sweet-salty combination. Also, for a spicy touch, feel free to add a little chili pepper or chili sauce.

Nutritional benefits:

This homemade pizza contains healthy ingredients, and the filling with turkey meat and chicken pastrama provides a good source of protein. Rye flour adds fiber, and tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, especially lycopene, which is beneficial for heart health.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use other types of flour?
Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat flour or other types of flour, but you will need to adjust the amount of water.

2. How can I make the dough crispier?
You can bake the pizza at a higher temperature or on a pizza stone if you have one.

3. What can I do with leftover pizza?
Pizza can be refrigerated and reheated the next day. You can also transform leftovers into mini-pizza or bruschetta.

4. What drinks pair well with pizza?
A cold beer, a light red wine, or a refreshing citrus cocktail can make a perfect pairing with your pizza.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left is to start cooking! In the end, you will enjoy a delicious pizza made with love and passion that will surely impress your loved ones! Enjoy your meal!