How to Make Margherita Pizza at Home | Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay

13 Feb 201401:40

Summary

TLDRThis video script guides viewers through making pizza dough by mixing warm water, sugar, flour, olive oil, and yeast. After kneading and proving the dough, it's divided into balls, flattened, and cooked in a hot pan. The pizza is topped with tomato passata, mozzarella, and optional toppings like rosemary, chutney, smoked paprika, chili flakes, almonds, lemon, and sherry vinegar before finishing on a hot grill.

Takeaways

🍞 To prepare pizza dough, add yeast to warm water with a tablespoon of sugar and let it sit.
🧂 In a separate bowl, sift the flour and mix in olive oil and the yeast mixture.
👐 Knead the dough for about 10 minutes on a floured surface until it is smooth and even.
🍲 After kneading, place the dough back into the bowl, cover, and let it prove in a warm place until it doubles in size.
🎈 Once doubled, punch out any excess air and return the dough to the floured surface.
🍕 Divide the dough into four balls, flatten each, and prepare for cooking.
🔥 Heat olive oil in a hot pan and cook the pizza dough, which is usually baked in a very hot oven but can also be pan-fried.
🍅 When the dough bubbles and the base turns golden, spoon over tomato passata and top with mozzarella.
🔥 Transfer the pizza to a hot grill to finish cooking until golden and bubbly.
🌿 Add a garnish of fresh rosemary for a classic pizza topping, but feel free to customize with your favorite toppings.
🌶️ For a twist, consider adding a combination of smoked paprika, chili flakes, chopped almonds, lemon, and sherry vinegar for a unique flavor profile.

Q & A

What is the first step in preparing the pizza dough?
-The first step is to add warm water to a bowl and mix in a tablespoon of sugar, then set it aside.
What should be done with the flour before adding other ingredients?
-The flour should be sifted to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth mixture.
What are the main ingredients added to the flour?
-Olive oil and the yeast mixture (prepared with warm water and sugar) are added to the sifted flour.
How long should you knead the dough on a floured surface?
-The dough should be kneaded for about 10 minutes until it is even and smooth.
What should you do with the dough after kneading?
-Place the dough back into the bowl, cover it, and leave it in a warm place to prove until it roughly doubles in size.
How do you prepare the dough for shaping after it has proved?
-Punch out any excess air from the dough, then place it back on a floured surface and divide it into four balls. Flatten each ball to shape the pizza bases.
What is the method used to cook the pizza dough in the script?
-The pizza dough is cooked using a hot pan method, which is an alternative to baking in a searingly hot oven.
What are the typical toppings added to the pizza after the dough is placed in the pan?
-Tomato passata (strained tomatoes), chunks of mozzarella cheese, and fresh rosemary are added to the pizza.
How is the pizza finished after adding the initial toppings?
-The pizza is transferred to a hot grill to cook until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
What are some alternative toppings suggested in the script for a more unique pizza?
-The script suggests adding smoked paprika, chili flakes, chopped almonds, lemon juice, and sherry vinegar for a different flavor profile.
What is the purpose of adding sugar to the warm water initially?
-The sugar in the warm water helps to activate the yeast, promoting fermentation and making the dough rise effectively.

Outlines

00:00

🍕 Homemade Pizza Dough Preparation

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on making pizza dough. It starts with activating yeast by adding it to warm water with sugar. The dough is then prepared by sifting flour, adding olive oil, and kneading it for 10 minutes until smooth. The dough is left to prove until it doubles in size, after which it is deflated and divided into four portions. The dough balls are flattened, and the video suggests a pan cooking method as an alternative to an oven. The paragraph also hints at the addition of music and applause, suggesting a lively and engaging presentation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pizza dough

Pizza dough is the base mixture of flour, water, yeast, and sometimes sugar, which is kneaded and allowed to rise to create the foundation of a pizza. In the video's theme, it is the primary focus as the script details the process of making it, from the initial mixing to kneading and proving, which is essential for achieving the desired texture and flavor of the final pizza.

💡Knead

Kneading is a process of working dough with the hands to develop the gluten, which gives the dough its structure and elasticity. In the context of the video, kneading the pizza dough for about 10 minutes is emphasized as a crucial step to achieve an even and smooth texture, contributing to the overall quality of the pizza.

💡Prove

Proving is the term used for the process where dough is left to rise, typically in a warm place, allowing the yeast to ferment the sugars and produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to expand. The script mentions leaving the dough to prove until it is roughly doubled in size, indicating a successful fermentation process.

💡Divide

In the context of pizza making, dividing refers to the action of splitting the dough into smaller portions. The script instructs to divide the proved dough into four balls, which is a step towards preparing individual pizza bases for further processing.

💡Flatten

Flattening is the action of pressing or rolling out the dough to create a thin, even layer that will form the base of the pizza. The script mentions flattening the divided dough balls, which is an important step in shaping the pizza before adding toppings.

💡Tomato passata

Tomato passata is a puree made from tomatoes, often used as a base for pizza sauce. It is smoother than traditional tomato sauce and provides a base flavor to the pizza. In the script, tomato passata is mentioned as a topping that is spooned over the flattened pizza dough before adding other ingredients.

💡Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a type of cheese that is commonly used on pizzas due to its soft texture and ability to melt smoothly. The script describes tearing chunks of mozzarella and placing them on the pizza, which is a classic topping choice known for its gooey texture and mild flavor.

💡Grill

Grilling refers to the cooking method where food is cooked on a grill, typically with direct heat from below. In the video's context, transferring the pizza to a hot grill allows it to cook with a golden and bubbly surface, achieving the desired texture and appearance of a well-cooked pizza.

💡Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant herb often used in cooking to add a distinct flavor to dishes. The script suggests finishing the pizza with fresh rosemary, which complements the other ingredients and adds an aromatic touch to the final product.

💡Toppings

Toppings are the additional ingredients placed on the pizza dough before cooking, which can include a variety of vegetables, meats, cheeses, and sauces. The script mentions the classic combination of tomato passata and mozzarella, but also encourages adapting the pizza with personal favorite toppings, showcasing the versatility of pizza.

💡Searingly hot oven

A searingly hot oven refers to an oven that is preheated to a very high temperature, typically used for cooking pizza to achieve a crispy crust and well-melted toppings. Although the script mentions that pizza is usually cooked in such an oven, it also suggests an alternative method of pan cooking, which works well for achieving a similar result.

💡Chutney

Chutney is a condiment made from fruits or vegetables with vinegar, sugar, and spices, and is used to add flavor to dishes. The script mentions adding chutney to the pizza for a tartness that complements the richness of the other ingredients, indicating a fusion of flavors in the recipe.

💡Smoked paprika

Smoked paprika is a spice made from dried red peppers that have been smoked, adding a smoky flavor to dishes. In the script, smoked paprika is suggested as an ingredient for a spicy pizza topping, indicating a preference for a more robust and smoky flavor profile.

💡Chili flakes

Chili flakes are dried and crushed chili peppers, used to add heat and flavor to dishes. The script includes chili flakes as a topping option for those who prefer a spicy pizza, demonstrating how personal taste can influence the choice of pizza toppings.

💡Almonds

Almonds are a type of nut that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. In the context of the script, roughly chopped almonds are suggested as a topping, adding a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor to the pizza, which is an unconventional yet interesting twist on traditional pizza toppings.

💡Sherry vinegar

Sherry vinegar is a type of vinegar made from sherry wine, known for its rich and complex flavor. The script mentions a dash of sherry vinegar as part of the topping, which would add a tangy and slightly sweet element to the pizza, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Highlights

Add G's to warm water and a tablespoon of sugar for the yeast mixture.

Leave the yeast mixture to one side to activate.

Sift flour in a separate bowl to prepare for the dough.

Combine sifted flour with olive oil and the yeast mixture.

Knead the dough for about 10 minutes on a floured surface.

Return the kneaded dough to the bowl and cover for proofing.

Allow the dough to prove until it has doubled in size.

Punch out excess air and divide the dough into four balls.

Flatten each dough ball for pizza base preparation.

Cook the pizza dough in a hot pan with olive oil.

Use a searingly hot oven or pan for optimal pizza cooking.

Flip the pizza when the dough starts to bubble and the base turns golden.

Top the pizza with tomato passata and mozzarella chunks.

Transfer the topped pizza to a hot grill for final cooking.

Finish the pizza with fresh rosemary for a classic touch.

Adapt the pizza with your own favorite toppings.

Create an Asian-inspired pizza with chutney, smoked paprika, and chili flakes.

Add almonds, lemon, and sherry vinegar for a tangy and spicy twist.