pizza with tomato sauce and cheese

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 cups flour (wheat)
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 can (400 g) crushed tomatoes (or diced tomatoes)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar (to reduce acidity, optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or thyme)

For Topping the Pizza:

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• Additional toppings as desired (like mushrooms, peppers, olives, pepperoni, etc.)

Steps:

Preparing the Dough:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of flour with 1 teaspoon of yeast and 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. Add Water: Add 3/4 cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of olive oil (optional). Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Let Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for an hour until doubled in size.

Preparing the Tomato Sauce:

5. Cook the Sauce: In a medium pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for a minute until golden.
6. Add Tomatoes: Add the can of crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.

Assembling the Pizza:

7. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
8. Roll Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
9. Add Sauce: Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet or lined with parchment paper, then spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough.
10. Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then add any additional toppings as desired.
11. Bake: Bake the pizza in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serving:

12. Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy!

Enjoy your meal! 🍕