Hi, I’m Chef Tony Matassa with BBQGuys.com, today we're putting together some Pizza Margherita..
and we’re going to be baking that in our Alfresco Pizza Oven.
We always get tons of requests for pizza, and pizza margherita is always on the top
of the list!
Let’s get started by putting the dough together.
Now great pizza dough starts with only a few simple ingredients, olive oil.. always use
a good extra virgin olive oil.. water..
it’s best to use some type of mineral water, the minerals impart favorable baking characteristics
and taste.
Flour, stick with bread flour, it has a higher percentage of protein, which gives pizza crust
the chewy elasticity that everyone has come to love.
Salt, I like to use either sea salt or kosher.
A little honey, to add subtle sweetness to the dough, and acts as extra food to kick
start the yeast.
In a mixing bowl, blend the mineral water..
with the yeast, and also blend in some honey.
Finally, blend in olive oil.. and allow this mixture to rest and proof for about 10 minutes
to allow the yeast to activate.
While that is going on, whisk together some salt, and bread flour.
When the yeast has proofed, make a well in the center of your flour, and pour in the
liquid.
Use your hand to gradually mix in the flour into the liquid.
You may need to add a splash of water, or a small amount of flour to reach the doughy
consistency.
Once there, turn everything out onto a well floured work surface, and begin kneading.
Work the dough for 5-8 minutes, until your dough is smooth and elastic.
Now coat it with some olive oil, and place it in a bowl to rise covered with a damp towel
until doubled in size.
At this stage of the game, you are ready to set everything in a warm spot for 45 minutes
to an hour, or alternatively..
you can do what I like to do, put it in the refrigerator in a plastic bag, and let it
rise slowly for a day or two.. and then make pizza.
But either way, now i’ll show you how to put together the sauce.
The great thing about pizza margherita is, you don’t have to cook the sauce, just combine
these simple ingredients, and grab some fresh mozzarella at the store and you are set!
Start the sauce by pouring in some crushed tomatoes.. follow that with the paste of 3
garlic cloves..
here I have some fresh chopped basil.
Now add in a little bit of extra virgin olive oil, follow that with some granulated sugar..
a little fresh cracked black pepper..
some fresh grated parmesan cheese..and finally season to taste with kosher salt.
Stir everything to combine, and it’s time to press out the pizza dough.
Alright, once your dough has doubled in size, cut it into two dough balls.
This recipe will make 2 twelve inch round pizzas.
Begin pressing out your dough from the center, if your dough rose in the fridge, make sure
to let it come to room temp before pressing it out, it will cooperate a whole lot better!
Next, sprinkle some cornmeal on your pizza peel, this will prevent the dough from sticking
when you go to slide it in the oven.
I like to go ahead and put the dough on the peel before building the pizza, alright..
let’s assemble this pizza!
Start by spreading out a thin layer of your homemade pizza sauce.. for the cheese you
will want to make sure you get fresh mozzerella and dice it yourself, the pre grated mozzarella
at the store does not melt as well because of additives.
Once you have layered on the cheese, the pizza is ready for the oven!
Always preheat your pizza oven well, you are looking for temperatures around 700 degrees,
this will allow your pizza dough to pop quick, and crisp up really nice.
Throw a little cornmeal on the pizza stone, then it’s time to bake the pizza.
Keep a close eye on your pizza, I like to turn it about every 45 seconds or so.
This alfresco pizza oven has an infrared burner underneath the stones, as well as that hearth
burner in the back next to the ceramic log.
I really like that even though it is gas powered, it still has that old school pizza oven look,
and heat distribution.
This pizza is looking awesome..the sauce is starting to bubble, and the crust is getting
nice and crispy.
I think i’ll give it one more turn, and it is about time to eat some pizza!
Oh, wow..look at that deliciousness.. let’s get it plated up.
Check out the bottom of the crust, that is what you want to see!
All that is left to do is slice it up.. and dig in!