Introduction
Making pizza at home can be a delightful experience, especially when you have the right ingredients and a little know-how. This recipe presents a simple yet delicious garlic pizza topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Whether you opt for a classic dough, a quick no-yeast variant, or a store-bought base, you’ll find that the key lies in the quality of ingredients and the technique of preparation.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
– 1 classic pizza dough (wood-fired Italian style)
– 1 fast no-yeast pizza dough (this is excellent!)
– 1 store-bought pizza base
– 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– 2 tsp garlic (2 – 3 large cloves), crushed or made into a paste
– 1/8 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (or table salt, or double quantity for salt flakes)
– 1 cup mozzarella cheese (tightly packed cup), shredded
– 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (tightly packed cup), shredded
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
– Cook Time: 8 minutes
– Total Time: 18 minutes
– Yield: 1 pizza (30cm / 12″)
To prepare, start by preheating your oven to 250°C / 480°F (or 230°C for fan ovens) to achieve that perfect crispy crust. Prepare the garlic-infused oil by mixing olive oil and crushed garlic in a bowl and allowing it to sit for ten minutes. Whether you’re making your own pizza dough or using a store-bought base, roll it out, and stretch it onto your pan. Spread the garlic oil over the base, sprinkle with salt and the cheeses, then bake until the cheese is bubbly and has golden spots. Enjoy your homemade garlic pizza right away!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 250°C / 480°F (230°C fan). Allow sufficient time for the oven to heat up properly.
Prepare Garlic Infused Oil
In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with 2 teaspoons of crushed garlic. Set aside for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
Prepare Pizza Base
Choose your desired pizza base and roll it out. If using classic or no-yeast dough, stretch it onto a pizza pan. If using a store-bought base, ensure it’s un-cooked or par-cooked to avoid burning.
Top the Pizza
Spread the infused garlic oil (including all the garlic) evenly over the pizza base, while leaving the crust area exposed. Sprinkle the pizza with 1/8 teaspoon of salt, followed by 1/2 cup of tightly packed, shredded parmesan cheese, and then 1 cup of tightly packed, shredded mozzarella cheese.
Optional Step for No-Yeast Base
If using the no-yeast pizza base, consider spraying or brushing additional olive oil on the exposed crust to prevent it from drying out.
Bake the Pizza
Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. Rotate the pizza at the 4-minute mark to ensure even cooking, continuing to bake until the cheese has developed golden spots.
Slice and Serve
Once the pizza is done, remove it from the oven, cut it into slices, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Pizza Base Choices
1. **Classic pizza dough** (yeast): Requires 5 minutes of hand kneading or standing mixer work, or 40 seconds in a food processor, followed by 4 to 6 hours of rising time.
2. **No-yeast pizza dough**: Quick to prepare, taking only 40 seconds in a food processor or the same amount of time to hand-knead. This option eliminates rise time entirely.
3. **Store-bought base**: Choose any brand, ensuring it is un-cooked or par-cooked to avoid burning before the cheese melts.
Garlic Preparation
For optimal flavor infusion, garlic should be reduced to a paste. If you lack a garlic press, finely mince the garlic with a knife and then smear it into a paste using the knife’s flat side. Avoid using store-bought garlic paste due to its potential sour taste from preservatives.
Cheese Recommendations
Freshly shredded cheese performs better in terms of melting and spreading than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-clumping agents. When measuring by cups, it’s best to shred first and then pack the cheese tightly to avoid an insufficient amount. A suggested method is to weigh chunks of cheese before grating.
Cook techniques
Preheating the Oven
Ensure your oven is preheated to 250°C / 480°F (230°C fan) to achieve a perfectly baked pizza with a crispy crust.
Infusing Garlic Oil
Combine olive oil and crushed garlic in a small bowl, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes. This process enhances the flavor of the oil, perfect for drizzling over pizza.
Preparing the Pizza Base
Roll out your chosen pizza base and stretch it onto your pan to create the desired shape and thickness.
Spreading the Toppings
Evenly spread the garlic-infused oil over the base, incorporating all the garlic, then sprinkle with salt, followed by parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Baking the Pizza
Bake the pizza for 8 minutes, turning it halfway through to ensure even cooking, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
FAQ
What type of pizza dough can I use?
You can choose from a classic pizza dough, a fast no-yeast pizza dough, or a store-bought option, depending on your preference and time available.
Why should I avoid store-bought garlic paste?
Store-bought garlic paste can be sour due to preservatives. Crushing your own garlic ensures a fresher and more flavorful oil.
What is the benefit of freshly shredded cheese?
Freshly shredded cheese melts and spreads better than pre-shredded cheese, which typically contains anti-clumping agents that can affect texture.
How can I ensure my cheese is measured accurately?
Shred your cheese before measuring to pack it tightly into the cup. Alternatively, you can weigh the cheese to ensure accurate quantities.
How can I make the crust more flavorful?
For added flavor, spray or brush the exposed crust with olive oil before baking, especially if using a no-yeast pizza base.
Conclusion
The garlic pizza topped with a choice of base provides a delightful combination of flavors, with the richness of mozzarella and parmesan cheese balanced by the aromatic garlic infused oil. Whether you opt for a classic, no-yeast, or store-bought dough, this easy recipe ensures a satisfying pizza experience that can be tailored to your preferences.
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