Pasta/Pizza - Pizza with ham and mozzarella by Adela J. - Recipia
Pizza with Ham and Mozzarella - A Quick and Tasty Delight

Welcome to the world of culinary delights! Today, I will present to you a simple and quick recipe for pizza with ham and mozzarella, perfect for those moments when you don't have much time but crave a tasty and comforting meal. This pizza is not only easy to prepare but also very versatile, allowing you to adapt it to your tastes. Let's get started!

Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2-3 servings

Ingredients:
- 1 store-bought pizza base (preferably from a fresh batch for the most authentic taste)
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste (you can use tomato puree or pizza sauce, depending on your preference)
- 200g mozzarella (choose fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture)
- 100g ham (sliced very thin, but you can also use regular ham or prosciutto, depending on what you have on hand)
- Oregano (fresh or dried)
- Mustard (for serving, an unusual but delicious choice)
- Ketchup (optional, for the more traditional)

Ingredient details:
- Pizza base: If you're in a hurry, a store-bought base is the ideal solution. Choose a quality one, preferably from a local bakery or a supermarket that sells fresh products.
- Mozzarella: An essential cheese in any pizza, mozzarella provides a creamy taste and fantastic texture. You can use shredded or sliced mozzarella, but make sure it is well-drained to avoid a soggy pizza.
- Ham: This meat specialty adds a salty and savory note. Choose quality ham, preferably from a local butcher, for an authentic taste.

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven: Start by preheating the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. It is important that the temperature is right for the base to become crispy and the mozzarella to melt evenly.

2. Prepare the base: Place the pizza base on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. If you want a crispier base, you can sprinkle it with a little flour or brush it with olive oil.

3. Add the tomato paste: Use a spatula or spoon to spread the 3 tablespoons of tomato paste over the entire surface of the base, leaving a margin of about 1 cm. This will be the delicious base of your pizza.

4. Sprinkle mozzarella: Evenly distribute the mozzarella over the tomato paste, ensuring that every corner of the pizza is covered. It will become golden and delicious during baking.

5. Add the ham: Place thin slices of ham over the mozzarella. You can arrange them nicely, creating a pattern, or simply scatter them for a more casual approach.

6. Another layer of mozzarella: If you are a true cheese lover, feel free to add another thin layer of mozzarella on top of the ham. This will help form a delicious crust.

7. Season: Sprinkle oregano over the pizza for an extra flavor boost. Dried oregano gives an intense aroma, but if you have fresh oregano, don’t hesitate to use it!

8. Bake the pizza: Place the tray in the preheated oven and let the pizza bake for 20 minutes or until the base turns golden and the cheese melts beautifully.

9. Serve: Once the pizza is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly. You can serve it with mustard and ketchup for a surprising taste or simply enjoy it as is. A dark beer would be the perfect accompaniment to this dish.

Tips and tricks:
- If you like a spicier taste, add a few slices of chili pepper or chili flakes on top.
- You can experiment with other types of cheese, such as parmesan or feta, to give it a personal touch.
- Add vegetables, such as olives, bell peppers, or mushrooms, if you want to turn the pizza into a heartier dish.

Nutritional benefits:
This pizza offers a mix of proteins from ham and mozzarella, while the tomatoes in the tomato paste provide vitamins and antioxidants. However, it is good to know that due to the ham, this dish may have a higher sodium content, so moderate your portions according to your preferences.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use another type of meat? Of course! You can replace the ham with chicken, pepperoni, or even vegetarian options.
- How can I make the pizza base at home? If you have time, a simple pizza dough recipe includes: 500g flour, 300ml warm water, 7g dry yeast, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix the ingredients, knead, let it rise, then roll it out.
- What other sauces can I use instead of tomato paste? You can try pesto sauce, white sauce (cheese sauce), or even a yogurt sauce with herbs.

A personal note: I discovered this recipe during a lazy evening at home when I was craving pizza but didn't feel like making everything from scratch. The result was so good that I decided to add it to my personal menu!

I encourage you to try this recipe for pizza with ham and mozzarella, enjoy every bite, and experiment with your favorite ingredients. Bon appétit!

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Pasta/Pizza - Pizza with ham and mozzarella by Adela J. - Recipia

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