San Marzano Tomato Pizza

San Marzano tomatoes have dense flesh and a rich, sweet flavour. They are considered by many chefs to make the best tomato sauce, but good quality plum tomatoes could be substituted.

Ingredients

For the pizza dough

800g/1lb 14oz '00' flour

200g/7oz semolina flour

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp caster sugar

14g/½oz dried yeast

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

650ml/1 pint 2fl oz water

For the topping

2 x 400g/14oz tins San Marzano tomatoes

2 large cow’s milk mozzarella balls, grated

50g/1¾oz pecorino cheese, coarsely grated

3 tbsp vegetable oil

3 tbsp peanut oil

1 large handful basil leaves

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 handfuls rocket

Preparation method

To make the dough, place the flours, salt, sugar and yeast into a large bowl and stir. Make a well in the centre of the flour and pour in the water, gradually mixing in the flour to form a soft dough.

Tip out and knead on an oiled work surface for about 10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place it into a bowl, cover and leave to rise for 24 hours.

Preheat the oven to its highest temperature. Place a heavy baking tray or pizza stone in the oven and allow it to heat.

Remove the dough from the bowl and knead for a couple of minutes, then divide into four pieces. Allow to rest for five minutes, then stretch each piece over your hands to form a disc about 5mm/¼in thick.

Place the circles of dough onto upturned floured baking trays or a peel if you have one.

Place the tinned tomatoes into a food processor and blend to a purée. Spoon the tomato purée thinly over the pizzas, scatter over the grated mozzarella and pecorino, then drizzle over the oils. Add a few basil leaves and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Slide each pizza off the baking tray directly onto the heated baking tray or pizza stone in the oven and cook for 5 -10 minutes until golden-brown and crisp.

Scatter over the rocket and serve immediately.

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