SIMPLE PIZZA MARGHERITA

Simple Pizza Margherita image

You can substitute all-purpose flour for semolina flour. The best way to put the pizzas in the oven is with a pizza peel, a flat, shovel-like tool. Prepare pizza on the peel, and with a firm flick of the wrist, slide pizza onto a preheated baking sheet or pizza stone.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes

Yield Makes two 14-by-7-inch pizzas

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 envelope active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for bowl and brushing
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for working
1 cup semolina flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled plum tomatoes with juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 small shallots, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Pinch of sugar
12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper
12 fresh basil leaves

Steps:

Make the dough: Pour water into the bowl of an electric mixer. Add sugar and yeast; stir until yeast has dissolved. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add oil, flours, and salt. Fit mixer with paddle attachment; mix until combined. Switch to dough hook; mix 5 minutes. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, and knead a few times with floured hands until smooth and elastic. Transfer dough to a large oiled bowl, and turn to coat; cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 3 hours. (Alternatively, let dough rise in the refrigerator overnight.)
Make the sauce: Pulse tomatoes in a blender until smooth; set aside. Put garlic and oil into a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until garlic sizzles, about 40 seconds. Add shallots; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool slightly. (Sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Preheat a baking sheet. Punch down dough; transfer to a floured work surface. Divide dough in half. Set half aside, and cover with plastic wrap. Roll out remaining dough to 14 by 7 inches, 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle a pizza peel with semolina flour, and place rolled dough on top.
Brush top of dough lightly with oil. Spread with 1/2 cup sauce, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with half the mozzarella. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan, and season with pepper.
Slide pizza onto heated sheet in oven. Bake until dough is golden and cheese is bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, repeat process with remaining dough. Let each pizza cool slightly; top with half the basil. Cut into slices, and serve.