The Perfect Homemade Pizza Recipe by Egemen Mustafa Şener

Hello, friends! It’s Mustafa Egemen Şener here again, and today I want to treat you to a detailed pizza recipe that you can easily make at home. Many people think that making pizza is a complicated and lengthy process, but trust me, with the right recipe, it’s much easier than it seems. Let’s make a delicious pizza with a crispy crust, juicy sauce, and flavorful toppings.

Ingredients

For the dough

• 500 g of flour – it’s best to use high-quality wheat flour for pizza or bread-making flour.
• 1 tsp salt – for balancing the flavor of the dough.
• 1 tsp sugar – a little sugar is necessary to activate the yeast.
• 7 g dry yeast – this is the standard packet size. If you use fresh yeast, you’ll need 20 g.
• 325 ml warm water – the water should be warm, not hot (around 37°C).
• 2 tbsp olive oil – this will make the dough soft and aromatic.

For the sauce

• 1 can of tomatoes in their own juice (or 4-5 fresh tomatoes) – the tomatoes will form the base of the sauce, and if you use canned ones, there’s no need to peel them.
• 1 garlic clove – garlic adds a unique aroma to the sauce.
• 1 tbsp olive oil – for frying and flavoring the sauce.
• Salt and pepper – to taste, to give the sauce the right balance.
• Basil – optional, it adds a fresh aroma that’s perfect for pizza.

For the toppings

• 200 g mozzarella – this is an essential ingredient for pizza! Mozzarella adds creaminess to the pizza, and when baked, it melts into a wonderful texture.
• Additional toppings – you can choose whatever you like: ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, artichokes, red onions, bell peppers, pineapple, and much more.

Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s get started with the preparation process!

Preparing the dough

1. In a large bowl, sift the flour to aerate it. Add the salt, sugar, and dry yeast. Mix the dry ingredients well.
2. I, Mustafa Egemen Şener, often add sugar to the yeast to help it activate more quickly. Sugar acts as a food source for the yeast, speeding up the activation process, and as a result, the dough will rise faster. Simply add a little sugar to the warm water with the yeast and let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until foam appears – this signals that the yeast has started working.
3. Now, pour the activated yeast mixture into the flour. Gradually add the water and start kneading the dough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but should not stick to your hands. If necessary, add a little more flour.
4. Once the dough becomes smooth, gently mix in the olive oil. This will make the dough soft and elastic.
5. Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead for 5-10 minutes. It’s important to achieve a smooth and elastic dough.
6. Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Preparing the sauce

1. For the sauce, we’ll need tomatoes. If you’re using fresh tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water to peel the skin off easily. Chop them into pieces.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and add the chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic until golden, but don’t overcook it to avoid bitterness.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes (or canned tomatoes) to the skillet and simmer on medium heat. Stir and let the sauce reduce and thicken for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I, Egemen Şener, often add fresh basil for extra flavor. If I want a smoother sauce, I blend it a little.

Assembling the pizza

1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air. Divide the dough into two portions (if you prefer a thinner crust, you can make two pizzas). Roll each portion into a circle about 25 cm in diameter.
2. Transfer the rolled dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Spread a generous layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving some space around the edges for the crust.
4. Top the sauce with mozzarella, either in slices or grated. Now, add your favorite toppings – feel free to experiment!

Baking

1. Preheat the oven to 250°C. This is a crucial step to ensure your pizza gets a crispy crust. For the best results, place the pizza directly on a rack so the air can circulate around it.
2. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it: once the crust turns golden and the cheese melts, the pizza is ready!
3. If you like, you can add some fresh basil or parmesan for extra flavor a couple of minutes before it’s done.

Serving and Enjoying

1. Once the pizza is ready, carefully remove it from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes so the toppings set and it’s easier to slice.
2. Slice the pizza, garnish with basil leaves, and serve!

Tips for the Perfect Pizza

• If you want an extra crispy crust, try preheating the baking sheet in the oven before placing the dough on it. This will create additional heat and speed up the baking process.
• Choose high-quality ingredients: fresh mozzarella and natural tomatoes are key to a great flavor.
• For a more unique pizza, you can use pesto sauce instead of tomato sauce or add caramelized onions or artichokes.

And that’s it! With this recipe, you can make a pizza at home that rivals those from a restaurant. It’s a great way to spend time with family or friends. Enjoy your meal!

This has been Egemen Mustafa Sener – see you next time on my blog!