Culinary preferences vary greatly around the globe, but some dishes and desserts have achieved universal acclaim. Currently, one of the most celebrated dishes is "Neapolitan Pizza" from Italy, while the top dessert is "Tiramisu", also hailing from Italy. Here are the recipes and instructions to make these world-renowned favorites.
Neapolitan Pizza
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Ingredients:
- For the dough:
- 4 cups (500g) of 00 flour (Italian flour)
- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of instant yeast
- For the toppings:
- 1 cup (250ml) of tomato sauce (preferably San Marzano tomatoes, crushed)
- 1 1/2 cups (200g) of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- A pinch of salt
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Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
- In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water.
- Gradually add the water mixture to the flour, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for at least 8 hours (or overnight) at room temperature until it doubles in size.
2. Shape the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to its highest setting, ideally around 500°F (260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a ball and let them rest for another 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, stretch each dough ball into a thin circle, about 10-12 inches in diameter, using your hands.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
- Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Add slices of mozzarella evenly across the pizza.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil over the top.
4. Bake the Pizza:
- Carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 7-10 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and immediately add fresh basil leaves.
- Drizzle with a little more olive oil before serving.
Tiramisu
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Ingredients:
- For the filling:
- 6 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup (150g) of granulated sugar
- 2 cups (475ml) of mascarpone cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) of heavy cream
- For the layers:
- 2 cups (480ml) of strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 3 tablespoons of coffee liqueur (optional)
- 1 package (7oz) of ladyfingers (savoiardi)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
- Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
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Instructions:
1. Prepare the Coffee Mixture:
- Brew the coffee and let it cool to room temperature.
- Add the coffee liqueur to the coffee, if using.
2. Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until pale and thick.
- Add the mascarpone cheese and mix until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until fully incorporated.
3. Assemble the Tiramisu:
- Dip each ladyfinger briefly into the coffee mixture, making sure not to soak them.
- Arrange a layer of dipped ladyfingers at the bottom of a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) dish.
- Spread half of the mascarpone filling over the ladyfingers, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining mascarpone filling.
4. Chill and Serve:
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the tiramisu to set.
- Before serving, dust the top generously with cocoa powder and add chocolate shavings if desired.
These classic recipes for Neapolitan Pizza and Tiramisu will bring the taste of Italy into your home, showcasing why they are celebrated as the world's #1 dish and dessert. Enjoy the process of making these timeless culinary masterpieces and savor their rich flavors.
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