At-Home Artisan Pizza

With this recipe, I’ll share some important techniques to prove once and for all that making delicious pizza at home doesn't have to be complicated! This artisan pizza is filled with authentic Italian flavors and uses a unique baking method to keep your dough nice and crunchy without burning your toppings.

📝 Ingredients

• Store-bought pizza dough
• Peeled tomatoes
• Fior di latte Mozzarella cheese (or Buffalo)
• Small bunch Fresh Basil
• Semolina (As much as required)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO. As much as required)
• Salt (As much as required)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- To Prepare The Dough ---
2. 2Pour some EVOO into a small container and spread it around until it's evenly coated.
3. 3Sprinkle semolina onto your working surface then remove the dough from its packaging and knead the pizza ball until it’s nice and smooth on the surface.
4. 4Place the dough into the container. Seal it and let the dough rest at room temperature for at least 4 hours.
5. 5--- To Prepare The Toppings: ---
6. 6Cut mozzarella into circles, then long, thin strips, approx 1cm in width.
7. 7Place the strips in a small bowl and squeeze out as much liquid as possible (discard liquid).
8. 8Place your peeled tomatoes in a small bowl and crush them with your hands.
9. 9--- To Bake The Pizza: ---
10. 10Stage 1:
11. 11Once the pizza dough has rested, preheat your oven to its hottest setting.
12. 12Spread a thin layer of semolina on the bench/working surface.
13. 13Place the dough on the semolina and begin stretching it to your desired shape without pressing the edges.
14. 14Put the stretched-out pizza dough on a sheet of baking paper and sprinkle salt on top.
15. 15Pour a few tablespoons of crushed tomatoes on the pizza, spreading it out with the base of the spoon.
16. 16Bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 2 - 4 minutes.
17. 17Remove your pizza and turn the oven off.
18. 18Stage 2:
19. 19Turn the grill/broiler on to its highest setting.
20. 20While waiting for it to warm up, place a few pieces of fresh basil on the pizza then add mozzarella strips and top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
21. 21Place the pizza under the broiler and cook until the cheese begins to melt.
22. 22Once you see that the cheese is melted, turn the pizza around and cook for a few more minutes, making sure it is cooked evenly all the way around.
23. 23Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool.