Garlic Confit Margherita Pizza (Recipe)

There’s something magical about a simple Margherita pizza—its combination of fresh ingredients and crispy crust is simply lovely. But what if we told you there’s a way to elevate this classic dish to a whole new level? Enter the garlic confit, where garlic meets the traditional trio of tomato, mozzarella, and basil. Check out the video right below for a step-by-step visual guide on how we made our version of this dish. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

For the Dough (68% Hydration)

• 340 grams “00” Flour

• 230 grams Water (lukewarm)

• 9 grams Salt

• 2 grams Active Dry Yeast

For Garlic Confit

• 1 cup olive oil

• 1-2 heads of garlic

• Optional: A sprig of rosemary or thyme

Toppings

• 1 cup tomato sauce

• 200 grams fresh mozzarella

• Fresh basil leaves

• Garlic-Infused olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions

Dough Preparation

1. Follow the dough recipe steps, including autolyse, yeast activation, kneading, first rise, dividing, and the second rise from this guide!

Garlic Confit

1. Prepare the Garlic Confit:

   • Place the peeled garlic cloves in a small saucepan or skillet.

   • Add enough olive oil to fully submerge the garlic.

   • Add a sprig of rosemary or thyme (optional) for extra flavor.

   • Heat on low, keeping the oil at a gentle simmer (about 200°F/93°C). Do not boil.

   • Cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the garlic is soft, golden, and tender.

2. Cool and Store:

   • Remove the garlic and oil from heat and let cool.

   • Transfer the garlic and infused oil to a jar. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Assembling the Pizza

1. Shape the Dough:

   • Remove the dough from the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

   • Gently stretch the dough into a circle, about 10-12 inches in diameter, leaving the edges thicker for the crust.

2. Add the Base Ingredients:

   • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the stretched dough.

   • Take 3-4 cloves of garlic confit, mash or tear them into small pieces, and spread evenly over the tomato sauce.

   • Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of the garlic-infused oil over the base for extra flavor.

3. Top with Cheese and Basil:

   • Tear the fresh mozzarella into pieces and distribute evenly over the pizza.

   • Add a few fresh basil leaves on top.

Baking the Pizza

1. Preheat your oven to its highest temperature (e.g., 500°F/260°C) for at least 30-45 minutes, using a pizza stone or steel if available.

2. Slide the assembled pizza onto the preheated stone or steel.

3. Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the crust is golden, the cheese is bubbly, and the basil is slightly wilted.

Finishing Touch

1. Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately drizzle with a little more garlic-infused oil for a glossy finish.

2. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, if desired.

3. Slice and serve hot.

And there you have it!

Your very own Garlic Confit Margherita Pizza! This dish takes the classic recipe to the next level with its garlic flavor and aromatic oil infusion. Perfect for garlic lovers and anyone looking for a gourmet twist. Don’t forget to experiment with your toppings and add your own twist to make it uniquely yours!