They Learn How to Make the Best Neapolitan Pizza in Few Hours

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of making the best Neapolitan pizza, inspired by Vito Iacopelli's method. Whether you're a restaurant owner or a pizza enthusiast, these steps will help you create delicious pizza in just a few hours.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

To make Neapolitan pizza, you need a strong, elastic dough. Follow these instructions:

1. Ingredients Needed:

   • 6 liters of water
   • 10 kilograms of flour (strong flour recommended)
   • 270 grams of salt
   • 15 grams of dry yeast

2. Mixing the Dough:

   • Dissolve the dry yeast and salt in the water.
   • Add half of the water to the flour in a mixing machine.
   • Start mixing at low speed and gradually add the rest of the water until fully absorbed (about 5 minutes).
   • Increase the speed to medium and continue mixing until the dough is smooth.

3. Resting the Dough:

   • Grease a clean surface with olive oil and place the dough there.
   • Shape it into a ball, ensuring it is covered with oil.
   • Let the dough rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
   • After resting, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients

While the dough is resting, prepare your pizza toppings and sauce:

1. Tomato Sauce:

   • Use canned tomatoes. If opened and refrigerated, store any leftovers in the fridge.

2. Cheese:

   • Cut fresh mozzarella into pieces to ensure even distribution on the pizza.

3. Pizza Oven:

   • Preheat the oven to 420°C (top) and 300°C (bottom).

Step 3: Form the Dough Balls

The day after resting, it's time to shape the dough:

1. Check the Dough:

   • If the dough has dried on top, moisten it with a bit of water.

2. Shaping:

   • Allow the dough to rest for 15-20 minutes.
   • Divide the dough into 56 equal balls.
   • Keep the balls covered to prevent drying out.

Step 4: Making the Pizza

Now comes the fun part—making your pizza:

1. Stretching the Dough:

   • Take a dough ball and press gently to create a circular shape.
   • Avoid pressing too hard to keep air in the crust.
   • Flip the dough and stretch it further, maintaining a thicker edge for the crust.

2. Adding Toppings:

   • Place a scoop of tomato sauce in the center and spread it evenly, leaving a small border for the crust.
   • Add the mozzarella.

3. Baking the Pizza:

   • Use a pizza peel to slide the pizza into the oven.
   • Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Step 5: Training and Improvement

If you are training others to make pizza:

1. Feedback:

   • Observe their techniques and provide constructive feedback.
   • Emphasize the importance of fermentation and dough handling.

2. Practice:

   • Encourage repeated practice. The more they make, the better they will become.

Conclusion

Congratulations on learning how to make Neapolitan pizza! With practice, you'll master the techniques shared in this tutorial. Consider enrolling in a master class for more in-depth training or sharing your pizzas with friends and family to gather feedback. Enjoy your delicious creations!