How to Make Perfect Pizza | Gennaro Contaldo

Summary

In this video, the host takes viewers to Gozo, an island near Malta, to demonstrate how to make a simple, homemade margherita pizza. Using easy-to-find ingredients, he guides the audience through the process of making pizza dough, proofing it, and preparing the toppings. The pizza is topped with flavorful ingredients like garlic-infused passata, fresh mozzarella, and basil, finished off with a drizzle of olive oil. The host emphasizes the joy of homemade pizza and encourages viewers to experiment with their own toppings, while promoting his book and the Food Tube channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 Making pizza at home is easy, cheap, and delicious—no need to buy from stores.
• 😀 A simple Margherita pizza is made with flour, yeast, salt, and warm water to create the dough.
• 😀 Proofing the dough is key to achieving the right texture—let it rise for at least two hours.
• 😀 Use semolina or breadcrumbs to prevent the dough from sticking while proofing.
• 😀 When shaping the pizza, gently stretch the dough from the edges and press in the middle to avoid tearing.
• 😀 Use passata or a flavored tomato sauce as the base, and don't use too much—just a thin layer.
• 😀 Fresh mozzarella adds a creamy, rich texture to the pizza, and it’s best broken up by hand.
• 😀 Fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil enhance the flavor of the pizza.
• 😀 A hot oven (220°C or 430°F) ensures the pizza bakes quickly and crisps up nicely.
• 😀 Customize your pizza with additional toppings like salami or vegetables for variety.
• 😀 The recipe was adapted from the book *Let’s Cook Italian,* offering more delicious recipes.

Q & A

Why is it recommended to make pizza at home rather than buying it?

Making pizza at home is cheaper, easier, and allows you to enjoy a more delicious, personalized meal. The process is straightforward, and you can control the quality of the ingredients.

What are the basic ingredients for the pizza dough?

The basic ingredients for the pizza dough are 500g of strong flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, a 7g sachet of dried yeast, and 325ml of warm water.

Why is it important to mix the salt with the flour before adding the yeast?

It's important to mix the salt with the flour first because salt can inhibit the yeast's ability to rise if it comes into direct contact with it. Mixing the yeast in later ensures the dough rises properly.

What does 'proofing' the dough mean, and why is it necessary?

Proofing the dough refers to the process of letting the yeast activate and ferment, causing the dough to rise and become elastic. This is necessary to create a light and airy pizza base.

How can you tell when the dough is ready after proofing?

After proofing, the dough should have doubled in size and feel elastic when pressed. It will be much easier to stretch and shape.

What is a good substitute for semolina when proofing pizza dough?

If you don't have semolina, breadcrumbs work as an excellent substitute for proofing the dough.

What is the proper technique for shaping the pizza dough?

To shape the dough, gently press it down and use your fingers to stretch it from the edges toward the center. Avoid using force to prevent tearing, and instead, keep moving the dough gently to achieve the desired size.

What type of tomato sauce is used in the margherita pizza recipe?

For margherita pizza, you can use either a plain tomato sauce or passata. In the script, the tomato sauce is flavored with garlic for extra flavor.

What is the role of olive oil in the pizza recipe?

Olive oil is used both in the dough (to enhance flavor and texture) and on top of the pizza before baking. It helps to bring out the flavors of the ingredients and gives the pizza a golden, crispy finish.

How much mozzarella should be used for each pizza, and how should it be prepared?

For each pizza, 50g of mozzarella is recommended. The mozzarella should be broken into pieces by hand rather than sliced to give it a rustic texture and allow it to melt evenly.

What can you add to the pizza besides the basic margherita ingredients?

You can add various toppings to the pizza, such as salami or preserved vegetables, depending on your preferences. The beauty of homemade pizza is that you can customize it with whatever ingredients you like.

Where can viewers find the recipe for this pizza?

The recipe for the margherita pizza is adapted from the creator's book, 'Let's Cook Italian.' Viewers are encouraged to check out the book for more recipes.