Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? As a sharer or for yourself, pizza hits the spot, so try out this tasty tomato and mozzarella pizza this summer!

Ingredients for the Pizza Dough:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 cup warm water

Ingredients for the Pizza Toppings:

• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2-3 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves, torn
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for drizzling

Instructions for the Pizza Dough:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
2. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the olive oil and warm water. Mix with a spoon until the dough comes together.
3. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a bit more water.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Instructions for Assembling and Baking the Pizza:

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
2. Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll out the dough into your desired pizza shape and thickness.
3. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto a baking sheet or a pizza peel if you have a stone. If using a baking sheet, lightly grease it or line it with parchment paper.
4. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, covering the entire pizza.
6. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Drizzle a little olive oil over the pizza toppings.
8. Carefully transfer the pizza into the preheated oven (or onto the preheated pizza stone). Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle fresh torn basil leaves over the top.
10. Allow the pizza to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy the delightful combination of tomato, mozzarella, and aromatic basil on your homemade pizza!