This week is dedicated to Italy. I am sure that after the epidemic ends, one of my first travels will be Italy. I love food and everyone knows that Italian food is to die for. You can get dizzy from how many types of gelato, pasta and pizza they have, not to mention wines and cocktails :). As you noticed, Italy has a place in my heart. 

Today I decided to write an easy pizza recipe. I could talk about pizzas and my love for them for hours. When I was younger I worked at a place where I ate pizza everyday for lunch  and I didn’t get sick of it. 

This recipe is simple so everyone should be able to make it. I have and use a dough mixer in my kitchen ( I am so happy for it), but you can do everything by hand. Before owning the mixer I used to knead dough by hands. Maybe this recipe is not authentic, but trust me – with good ingredients you can make great homemade pizza. 

For dough (3 medium pizzas):

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil

Tomato sauce:

• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 tsp black pepper

Toppings – anything you like, I made pizzas with:

• Mozzarella cheese
• Saliami
• Fresh basil leaves

1. In a small bowl mix together the lukewarm water and sugar, when sugar dissolves combine dry yeast and set it aside for 10 min.

2. Pour the flour in a large mixer, turn the mixer on medium to low speed and start pouring water little by little. It’s important to mix everything slowly to let absorb water.

3. After all water is added knead dough until it gets smooth, mix in salt and olive oil and keep kneading for 7-12 min.

4. Heat the oven to 40 C. Remove dough from the mixer and knead with your hands until you get a large ball. Place it in a large bowl, cover with clean cloth and let in rise in the oven for at least 30 min.

5. Transfer the dough to the work surface. Divide the dough into 3 parts and shape them as balls using your hand. After this step if you have too much dough you can put it into the freezer and use it whenever you want (it will last around 3 months).

6. Cover formed balls again with a kitchen towel and let in rise in ambient temperature for 30 min.

7. While the dough is resting you can prepare pizza sauce. Heat the pan on medium heat. Add all sauce ingredients and cook it until sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning to your preference.

8. Heat oven to 180 C. Roll your pizza dough and add it to a sheet pan with parchment paper. Add tomato sauce and toppings. Place it in the oven and bake it for 15-20 min.