Pizza with mozzarella

Delicious Mozzarella Pizza Recipe

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Welcome to the world of cooking! Today, I will guide you step by step through making a mozzarella pizza that will delight your taste buds. Pizza is a versatile dish, admired by generations and born from the desire to create delicious meals from simple yet flavorful ingredients. Whether you enjoy it with friends or serve it as a quick family dinner, pizza is always a winning choice.

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 400 g flour
- 250 ml warm water
- 1 cube of fresh yeast
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (or another vegetable oil)
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar

For the filling:
- 200 g smoked meat (or another type of smoked meat)
- 250 g cheese
- 250 g mozzarella
- 4-5 eggs
- 150 g salami (any kind you prefer)
- 200 g smoked sausages

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. In a clean bowl, add 250 ml of warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot, as excessive heat can destroy the yeast.
2. Add the cube of fresh yeast to the water and stir gently until completely dissolved. Place the bowl in a warm spot for a few minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This is a sign that the yeast is active.
3. Once the yeast has fermented, add 4 tablespoons of oil, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. The sugar helps activate the yeast and gives a slight sweetness to the dough.
4. Gradually incorporate 400 g of flour into the mixture, mixing with a spatula or your hands until you obtain a dough that is hard to mix. It should not be too sticky; if it is, add a little more flour.

Step 2: Proofing the dough
5. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl greased with a little oil. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 30-40 minutes, until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Preparing the filling
6. While the dough is rising, you can prepare the filling. Cut the smoked meat, sausages, and salami into small cubes. Grate the cheese and mozzarella.
7. If you wish, you can prepare a quick tomato sauce. Sauté a few slices of onion in olive oil, add canned tomatoes or tomato puree, salt, and pepper, and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Assembling the pizza
8. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
9. When the dough has risen, roll it out with a rolling pin on a floured surface until it reaches your desired thickness. Try to get a round or rectangular shape, depending on the tray you are using.
10. Grease the tray with a little oil and place the dough in the tray. You can gently push it with your fingers to fit the shape of the tray.
11. Add the filling on top of the dough: layer the smoked meat, sausages, salami, then sprinkle the cheese and mozzarella. If you've prepared tomato sauce, you can add it now.
12. Finally, crack the eggs on top of the filling for extra flavor.

Step 5: Baking
13. Place the tray in the preheated oven and let the pizza bake for 20-25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese melts beautifully.
14. Once the pizza is baked, remove it from the oven and cover the tray with a kitchen towel for 5 minutes. This trick will keep the pizza soft and prevent it from hardening.

Serving
Pizza is served hot, alongside tomato sauce or ketchup, according to your preference. Another great idea is to serve it with a fresh arugula and cherry tomato salad for a touch of freshness.

Practical tips
- Ingredients: You can experiment with different types of cheese or add vegetables like peppers or mushrooms. Make your pizza unique!
- Dough: If you don’t have fresh yeast, you can use dry yeast, making sure to follow the proportions (about 7 g of dry yeast).
- Vegan option: Replace cheese with plant-based alternatives and omit eggs for a 100% vegan version.
- Storage: Pizza can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days, and if you wish, you can freeze it.

Nutritional benefits
Homemade pizza is a good source of protein due to the cheese and meat, while whole flour can provide a healthy amount of carbohydrates. Adding vegetables boosts fiber and vitamin intake.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use whole flour? Yes, whole flour can provide a stronger taste and more fiber.
- What can I do with leftover pizza? You can reuse it in sandwiches or add it to salads for a quick and tasty lunch.

Pairing suggestions
Mozzarella pizza pairs wonderfully with a glass of red wine or craft beer. You can also try a fresh lemonade or a fruit cocktail to complement the meal.

Now that you know all the steps, it's time to start cooking! I invite you to try this mozzarella pizza recipe and share the final result with us. Enjoy your meal!