All about pizza margherita

A margherita pizza is a classic Italian dish that has earned its place as a symbol of simplicity and deliciousness. It consists of a thin crust topped with three basic ingredients: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil leaves. The combination of these simple yet flavoursome components creates a harmonious and satisfying taste experience that has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of people around the world.

Why do they call it a margherita pizza?

The name supposedly pays homage to Queen Margherita of Italy, but, as with so many classic recipes, its origins are disputed. Legend has it that in 1889, during a visit to Naples, Queen Margherita and her husband King Umberto I were served a pizza featuring the colours of the Italian flag – red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). The queen gave her enthusiastic approval and pizza recipe became an instant hit known as the Margherita.

Who invented pizza margherita?

Although the exact origins are debated, Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan pizzaiolo, is credited with creating the margherita pizza especially for the royal visit. His creation not only satisfied the queen's palate but also left a lasting legacy in the annals of culinary history.

Wait, is margherita pizza healthy?!...

While pizza often gets a bad rap for being unhealthy, the margherita pizza can be a nutritious option when made with high-quality, fresh ingredients.

The tomato sauce provides antioxidants and vitamins, while fresh mozzarella cheese offers protein and calcium. Basil leaves add a burst of flavour along with vitamins and minerals.

Start by preparing a simple pizza dough using gluten free flour, water, yeast, salt and olive oil.

Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, then let it rise until doubled in size.

Next, roll out the dough into a thin circle and transfer it to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread a generous layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a slightly raised border around the edges. Tear fresh mozzarella cheese into small pieces and distribute evenly over the sauce.

Finally, scatter fresh basil leaves on top. 

To give your margherita pizza the master touch, consider drizzling a bit of olive oil over the toppings before baking. This will enhance the flavours and create a beautiful golden crust. Bake the pizza in a pre-heated oven until the crust is crisp and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Slice it up however you prefer and, most importantly, enjoy!

Quick and easy Pizza margherita... promise this isn't cheating

If you lack the time or the inclination to get your hands dirty, you can still enjoy the pleasure of savouring this classic pizza. Schär can give you a helping hand with this gluten-free sourdough Pizza Base for you to get creative with toppings. But if time is really short, Schär has the whole thing covered with this delicious ready-to-go Pizza Margherita Lactose Free