We’ve just returned from southern Italy! One of the highlights of our trip has to be the Margherita Pizza. This classic pizza is so flavorful. The use of the best simple ingredients gives you a truly elegant crunch. 

The pizza was initially created in Naples for Queen Margherita of Savoy by the Italian Chef Raphael Esposito in 1899. The ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil imitate the colors of the Italian flag. The Queen loved the pizza so much that she wrote a special letter to Chef Esposito, who immediately named the pizza after her. 

See for yourself. No need to wait forever for pizza delivery. You can whip up this fresh pizza for your family any night of the week! 

Recipe: Margherita Pizza

Ingredients:

1 1b. fresh Bread/Pizza Dough
Approx. ¼ cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3-4 Vine-Ripe Tomatoes or 1 can whole tomatoes, drained, sliced into thin rounds
1 ball Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, sliced into rounds 
Kosher Salt
Fresh Basil leaves, hand torn (about 12)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Divide the dough in two and let rise until it doubles in size. Use your hands to stretch or roll out into rounds. You’re looking to achieve a cracker thin crust. 

Lightly oil 2 round pans (or use a baking stone). Add the dough and brush the top of each with olive oil. Top each with tomato and cheese slices. Add a little kosher salt over the tomato slices. Pour a little oil over the top. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the top and bottom crust is nicely browned. Remove from the oven and top with basil. 

Makes two, 4-slice pizzas. Serves 4.

Enjoy!

Calories: Dough 1000, Olive Oil 477, Tomatoes 88, Cheese 680, Basil 4
TOTAL = 2249 (That’s only 562 calories per serving.)