Italian Pizza

                                                       Italian Pizza

 Here is a recipe for making classic Italian pizza from scratch:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (325 g) bread flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) tomato sauce
• 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (40 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional toppings: sliced fresh tomato, sliced mushrooms, sliced onions, sliced bell peppers, sliced olives, cooked sausage or pepperoni, fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

1.   In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, instant dry yeast, and salt. Stir to mix the ingredients together evenly.

2.   Add the oil and warm water to the bowl.blend the mixture in with the wooden spoon until it meets up.

3.   Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add more flour assuming that the mixture is excessively tacky.

4.   Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

5.   Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

6.   When the mixture has risen,punch ith down and manipulate it momentarily. Roll it out into a thin, round shape.

7.   Place the rolled-out dough on a lightly oiled pizza pan or baking sheet.

8.   Spread the pureed tomatoes equally over the batter,leaving a little boundary around the edge.sprinkle the mozzarella cheddar and parmesan chader over the sauce.

9.   Add any desired toppings, arranging them evenly over the cheese.

10.                 Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.

     11 Eliminate the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a couple of moments prior to cutting and serving.