Recipe: Mediterranean Pizza

Introduction

Exploring the flavors of the Mediterranean

Ingredients

For the pizza dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the toppings:

• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Making the pizza dough:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
2. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 hour until it doubles in size.

Assembling the pizza:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Punch down the risen dough and divide it in half.
3. Roll out each portion into a round shape on a floured surface.
4. Transfer the dough rounds onto greased baking sheets or pizza stones.
5. Spread half of the tomato sauce onto each dough round, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and feta cheese over the sauce on each round.
7. Top with Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and red onion slices.
8. Drizzle olive oil over the toppings.

Baking and serving:

1. Bake the pizzas in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
2. Remove from the oven and sprinkle fresh basil and oregano over the top.
3. Allow the pizzas to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Conclusion

A taste of the Mediterranean in every bite

With its vibrant colors and bold flavors, this Mediterranean Pizza is sure to become a favorite in your household. The combination of tangy feta cheese, briny olives, and fresh herbs creates a delightful explosion of taste that will transport you to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. So why not bring a touch of the Mediterranean into your kitchen with this delicious pizza recipe?