Italian Food: How to Make the Best Wood-Fired Pizza

Did you know that 93% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month?

While ordering takeout is easy, there's something enchanting about a wood-fired pizza. The aromatic blend of charred dough, melted cheese, and tasty toppings will transport you to Italy.

Making Italian food may seem daunting and something that should be left to the professionals and pizzerias, but our guide is going to take you through the steps.

In this guide, we'll be exploring the art of making the best wood-fired pizza. Keep reading so you can give your taste buds something to savor.

Ingredients Make the Difference

In order to make a high-quality, flavorful pizza, you'll need to start at the beginning. That means gathering the best ingredients.

You'll want to opt for fresh toppings such as vine-riped tomatoes, premium mozzarella cheese, and locally sourced vegetables and meats. The dough should be made from scratch and you should give it ample time to rise slowly. This will help to enhance the flavor and texture.

Mastering the Dough

To make the dough, you'll need several ingredients. You'll need 500 grams of high-protein flour, 325 millimeters of water that's room temperature, 10 grams of salt, and 7 grams of active dry yeast.

Combining the ingredients and making the dough will take around three hours. Start by dissolving the yeast in water and letting it sit for five to ten minutes. Then you'll add the flour and salt.

Add the yeast/water solution to the flour and salt and mix it until the dough forms. Next, you'll need to knead it for about ten minutes.

Let the dough rise for around one to two hours. It should double in size.

Once the dough is ready, you'll divide it into individual portions and let it rest for an additional 30 minutes. Roll it out and add your toppings.

Add the Toppings

The great thing about pizza is you can arrange the toppings any way you want. You can include whatever meats, fruits, or vegetables you have.

However, keep in mind less is often more. Placing too many toppings can overpower the flavors that you want to taste.

Firing Up the Oven

Firing up the oven is an essential part of creating the perfect pizza. You won't want to miss out on the experience.

You'll want the oven to reach around 800°F which will help you achieve the perfect balance between char and melted cheese.

Best Wood for Cooking Italian Food

There are several types of wood that can be used in a wood-fired oven. However, there are some that are better than others.

You'll want to use wood that is low in moisture, high in energy content, and has the ability to produce consistent and intense heat. The wood can change the flavor of the pizza, so be mindful when you pick.

Oak is one of the most popular choices. It'll burn hot and long, which is ideal for cooking pizza evenly.

Maple is another great choice. It has a sweet aroma and steady heat production. The flavors of the pizza will be enhanced and there will be a nice balance between the intense heat and pleasant fragrance.

Another great option is Cherry wood. It's mild and has a sweet aroma as well. You can use other hardwoods with Cherry wood to create a unique flavor profile.

If you're looking to make your pizza with bold flavors, hickory wood is a good choice. It's vital that you use it sparingly and combine it with milder woods.

Otherwise, the flavor of the wood will become overpowering.

Wood Considerations

The type of wood is important, but there are a few other considerations you need to know about.

First is the size. As you would expect, larger logs are going to burn longer. Before placing them inside your oven, think about how long you need to cook all your food.

The wood you use should also be clean. The last thing you want is chemicals and toxins getting into your food. Avoid using wood that has been treated or painted.

Mobile-Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Community and connection may not be the first words that come to mind when you think about Italian catering and pizza, but they should be.

Pizza catering, especially a mobile-wood-fired pizza oven, can help foster a sense of community at your home or public event.

The Italian food cooking in the oven will become the center point of the event. People will start to congregate, converse, and share in the joy of food. Don't underestimate the power of good food and catering.

As we mentioned earlier, you can personalize and customize your pizza. This is a great benefit when you're hosting people.

Your guests can assemble and cook their pizzas right in front of them. You'll be providing them with a unique experience. From classic Margheritas to gourmet combinations featuring artisanal cheeses and local produce, the possibilities are limited only by imagination.

Hiring a pizza shop to bring their mobile oven to you will ensure all your pizzas and Italian food taste amazing while still providing an unforgettable experience for everyone.

A Taste of Italy

In a world where culinary trends change and evolve, a mobile wood-fired pizza stands as a nostalgic nod to tradition.

Whether you're hosting an event or craving authentic Italian food, we're here to help. Our team can bring the flavors to you with our mobile pizza oven catering.

You can book your event here or give us a call. Don't wait to taste the most authentic pizza catering.

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