Introduction
Pizza is one of the most classic and well-loved dishes in the world, and the Margherita is a timeless favourite. This dish is traditionally made with a few simple ingredients – tomatoes, mozzarella and basil – to create a flavour that is both fresh and tantalising. Whether you’re making this pizza at home or ordering it in a restaurant, it’s sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Ingredients
– 1 x quantity pizza dough
– 1 x 400g can of chopped tomatoes
– 250g mozzarella, sliced
– 1 handful of fresh basil leaves
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 220°C/430°F/Gas Mark 7.
2. Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and transfer to a baking tray or pizza stone.
3. Spread over the chopped tomatoes, leaving a 2cm border around the edge.
4. Scatter over the mozzarella slices and basil leaves.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the pizza dough is cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Potential changes & improvements
– If you’re looking for a little more of a kick, try adding some crushed garlic or a pinch of chilli flakes to the tomato sauce.
– For a vegetarian version, you could swap out the mozzarella for vegan cheese.
– If you’re not a fan of basil, you could try using oregano or thyme instead.
What other food it works well with
– A simple green salad
– Garlic bread
– Creamy mashed potatoes
Common Mistakes
– Overcrowding the pizza with toppings – this will make it difficult to cook evenly and could result in a soggy base.
– Not preheating the oven – this will impact the cooking time and could result in an undercooked or doughy pizza.
Nutritional Information
Allergens: wheat, dairy
What other food it works well with
– A simple green salad
– Garlic bread
– Creamy mashed potatoes