Welcome to my culinary corner! Today, I'm thrilled to share with you one of my all-time favorite recipes straight from my home kitchen - the classic Margherita flatbread. What makes this flatbread extra special is the use of fresh tomatoes and fragrant basil harvested right from my flourishing home garden. There's nothing quite like the taste of garden-fresh produce in a homemade pizza and I'm excited to show you how to recreate this Italian masterpiece step by step.
Growing my own tomatoes and basil has been a rewarding experience, and I found myself with an abundant harvest this season. What better way to celebrate this homegrown goodness than by making a mouthwatering Margherita flatbread!
Before we delve into the recipe, let me share a fascinating tidbit about the Margherita pizza's history. Legend has it that it was created in 1889 by an Italian chef who wanted to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy. The vibrant colors of the pizza toppings - red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil - were inspired by the colors of the Italian flag. To this day, the Margherita pizza remains the symbol of simplicity and the essence of Italian cuisine.
Ingredients Fresh from the Garden:
With an abundance of sun-ripened tomatoes and aromatic basil right in my backyard, making this Margherita flatbread became an obvious choice. I firmly believe that using homegrown ingredients not only adds flavor but also a touch of love to the recipe.
For this recipe, I sliced up enough tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to fit the flatbread. Therefore, you will not find exact measurements or amounts.
- Pizza dough or Flatbread (store-bought or homemade)
- Tomatoes, sliced
- Tomato sauce
- Fresh mozzarella, sliced
- Fresh basil
- Pepper, to taste
- Olive oil
- Optional: garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes for added flavor
Step-by-Step Preparation:
Let me walk you through the steps of crafting your very own Margherita pizza. From preparing the pizza dough to layering it with the finest garden-fresh tomatoes and basil. I guarantee this will be a delightful and satisfying process.
I like to make my own pizza dough using King Arthur's '00' Pizza Flour. But this particular day, I did not have enough time to make dough and I had flatbreads ready to go.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible (usually around 500-550°F or 260-290°C). If you have a pizza stone, place is in the oven during preheating to get it hot.
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. If you prefer a thin crust, roll it out thinner, for a thicker crust, keep it a bit thicker. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add the Tomato Sauce: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the pizza dough (or the flatbread), leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Use the back of a spoon to evenly distribute the sauce.
- Layer the Cheese: Slice the fresh mozzarella cheese into thin rounds and distribute them evenly over the sauce.
- Add the Tomatoes: Slice the tomatoes into thin rounds and place them on top of the cheese, slightly overlapping if needed.
- Seasoning: Drizzle a bit of extra-virgin olive oil over the pizza. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. If desired, you can also sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Here is our favorite dried oregano.
- Bake the Pizza: If you are using a pizza stone, carefully slide the pizza with parchment paper onto the hot stone in the oven. If using a baking sheet, place it directly in the oven. Bake the pizza for about 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Add Fresh Basil: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice the Margherita pizza and serve it hot. The combination of the fresh ingredients should create a delightful burst of flavors in every bite.
Tips:
- For an extra crispy crust, pre-bake the pizza dough for a few minutes before adding the toppings.
- Use the best-quality ingredients you can find, as they will significantly impact the taste of the pizza.
- Consider drizzling a little more olive oil over the pizza just before serving for added richness.
Now, you're all set to make your own delicious Margherita pizza at home! Enjoy the delightful flavors of this classic Italian masterpiece.