Randy Chandler
Pizza Margherita, also known as Margherita pizza, is a Neapolitan pizza that is often mistaken for a plain cheese pizza. Both pizzas use similar ingredients, including dough, sauce, and mozzarella cheese. However, Margherita pizza is made with specific ingredients and follows strict guidelines that set it apart from regular cheese pizza.
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What You'll Learn
- Margherita pizza dough is made with flour, salt, and yeast
- The toppings on a Margherita pizza are fresh basil, tomatoes, olive oil, sea salt, garlic, and mozzarella
- The cheese on a Margherita pizza is sliced, not shredded
- A Margherita pizza is cooked on a high temperature and is crispy and not greasy
- A cheese pizza can be made with any type of flour, such as whole wheat
Margherita pizza dough is made with flour, salt, and yeast
While there are many types of pizza, Margherita pizza is considered a variety of Neapolitan pizza, which has specific requirements for ingredients, size, dough construction, and cooking method. Neapolitan pizza dough traditionally only contains four ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt.
A classic Margherita pizza is topped with a thin layer of tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil. The dough is made with flour, salt, and yeast. The type of flour used for the dough is important, and some recipes call for Italian flour, all-purpose flour, or 00 flour, which is a characteristic of Margherita pizza. The dough is typically thin, around 3mm, and is stretched and pressed into a 12-inch round before baking.
To make the dough, one recipe suggests combining 3 cups of flour, 1.5 cups of water, 1/8 tsp of yeast, and 1.5 tsp of salt. The dough is then covered for 12 hours, punched down, and allowed to rest for another 2 hours before shaping and baking. Another recipe recommends using a bread maker to make the dough, and includes sugar and warm water to activate the yeast.
The dough is then topped with sliced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and rounds of sliced mozzarella. Before baking, the pizza is drizzled with olive oil and sea salt and cooked at a high temperature for just a few minutes until crispy.
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The toppings on a Margherita pizza are fresh basil, tomatoes, olive oil, sea salt, garlic, and mozzarella
A Margherita pizza is not just a cheese pizza. While both styles are similar, they are entirely unique dishes. A Margherita pizza is made with specific, fresh ingredients, whereas a cheese pizza does not have to follow any strict guidelines.
The ingredients for a Margherita pizza are carefully selected and prepared. The dough is traditionally made with 00 or 0 flour, which gives it a noticeably thicker crust than a regular cheese pizza. The mozzarella is fresh, and sliced, rather than shredded, and the basil is added after cooking to preserve its bright green colour.
The pizza is cooked at a high temperature for a short time, resulting in a crispy, non-greasy texture. When serving, a Margherita pizza can be served hot on a plate, or folded into four and wrapped in paper.
The Margherita pizza is said to have originated in 1889 when an Italian pizza maker, Raffaele Esposito, created a pizza in honour of Queen Margherita. The pizza featured the colours of the Italian flag—red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). The queen loved the pizza, and it was named after her.
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The cheese on a Margherita pizza is sliced, not shredded
The Margherita pizza is a far cry from being "just a cheese pizza". While both pizzas share some similarities, the Margherita pizza is a unique dish with a rich history. The pizza is named after Queen Margherita of Italy, who, in 1889, was served a pizza with toppings reflecting the colours of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This combination of toppings is what sets the Margherita pizza apart from a regular cheese pizza.
In addition to the type and preparation of the cheese, the dough and sauce of a Margherita pizza also differ from those of a regular cheese pizza. The dough is traditionally made with 00 flour, which gives it a noticeably thicker crust than a regular cheese pizza, which can be made with various crust heights and types of flour. The sauce on a Margherita pizza is also distinct, typically featuring hand-crushed peeled tomatoes, whereas a regular cheese pizza may use any variety of tomato sauce or no sauce at all, as the focus is on the cheese.
The Margherita pizza is a classic Neapolitan-style pizza with specific requirements for ingredients, construction, and cooking methods. It is cooked at a high temperature in a brick oven, traditionally wood-fired, resulting in a crispy, non-greasy texture. The focus is on the quality of the ingredients rather than adventurous flavour combinations. As such, the cheese on a Margherita pizza is carefully selected and prepared to enhance the overall flavour and authenticity of the dish.
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A Margherita pizza is cooked on a high temperature and is crispy and not greasy
A Margherita pizza is not just a cheese pizza. While both types of pizza use cheese as a topping, a Margherita pizza is made with specific ingredients and methods that differentiate it from a regular cheese pizza.
The key to achieving a crispy and non-greasy Margherita pizza is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and to cook the pizza on a high temperature for a short amount of time. The thin crust and the specific combination of toppings also contribute to the characteristic texture and taste of a Margherita pizza.
In contrast, a regular cheese pizza can be made with various crust heights and types of cheese. The cheese is often shredded rather than sliced, and multiple types of cheese may be used. A regular cheese pizza may also include a wider variety of toppings beyond just tomato, cheese, and basil, such as pepperoni, sausage, and other options.
Additionally, the dough for a Margherita pizza is traditionally made with 00 flour, which contributes to its thicker crust compared to a regular cheese pizza. The use of 00 flour is a characteristic of Neapolitan pizza, of which Margherita pizza is a variety. When made with the proper ingredients and methods, a Margherita pizza can be considered authentic Neapolitan cuisine.
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A cheese pizza can be made with any type of flour, such as whole wheat
Pizza is a beloved dish for many, and it comes in many varieties. One of the most popular types is the Margherita pizza, which has a rich history and a unique set of ingredients that distinguish it from a regular cheese pizza. While at first glance, it may seem that a Margherita pizza is just a cheese pizza with basil, there are specific guidelines that define a true Margherita.
The cheese on a Margherita pizza is always fresh mozzarella, and it is sliced, not shredded. The mozzarella is added on top of the tomato base, along with garlic and basil, and then drizzled with olive oil and sea salt before baking. The fresh, clean ingredients of a Margherita pizza result in a healthier option compared to a regular cheese pizza. While mozzarella has a high-fat content, it also offers protein and calcium, as well as gut-healthy bacteria.
The story behind the Margherita pizza adds to its allure. Legend has it that in 1889, an Italian pizza maker named Raffaele Esposito created three pizzas for Queen Margherita. The queen particularly enjoyed the pizza that featured the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This pizza was then named in her honor, and it became an iconic Italian dish.
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Frequently asked questions
A Margherita pizza is made with fresh ingredients, including fresh basil, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese. The dough is made with 00 flour and the pizza is cooked at a high temperature, resulting in a crispy, non-greasy texture. Cheese pizzas, on the other hand, can be made with any type of flour and shredded cheese, and often include a variety of toppings beyond just tomato, cheese, and basil.
According to a popular legend, the Margherita pizza was invented in 1889 when an Italian pizza maker named Raffaele Esposito created three pizzas for Queen Margherita. The queen particularly enjoyed the pizza with the colours of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). The pizza was then named in her honour.
The traditional cheese used on a Margherita pizza is fresh mozzarella cheese. However, variations include using smoked mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella, or fior di latte.
