It may come as a surprise to some, but at the ripe age of 68, after indulging in countless pizzas throughout our lives, my wife Gail and I have stumbled upon what we believe to be the pinnacle of Margarita pizzas—right here in our own backyard of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The culinary gem we’ve uncovered goes by the whimsical name of The Artisan Pig, evocative of the charming monikers often found in British taverns.
Our journey to find the ultimate Margarita pizza began during a recent escapade to London, where we sampled what was touted as the finest in the city. However, upon returning home, we unanimously agreed that our local haunt in the New World surpasses its Old World counterpart by a wide margin.
Now, you might expect the usual suspects when it comes to a Margarita pizza: a thin crust, a luscious tomato sauce infused with fresh herbs, and a medley of three artisan cheeses. But what truly sets this pizza apart is the addition of thinly sliced beef steak, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves, nestled between the sauce and the cheese—a stroke of genius that elevates this dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Since The Artisan Pig doesn’t offer delivery, Gail and I have taken it upon ourselves to recreate this masterpiece in the comfort of our own kitchen. And now, dear reader, we’re excited to share our recipe with you so you too can experience the joy of the best Margarita pizza this side of the Atlantic.
Recipe for the Ultimate Margarita Pizza
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115° F)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
For the Toppings:
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced beef steak
- 2 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crust: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water; let stand for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil; stir until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and chopped basil leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the Pizza: Preheat your oven to 475°F. Punch down dough; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to greased baking sheets. Spread tomato sauce evenly over each crust. Top with thinly sliced beef steak, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and a generous sprinkle of the three cheeses.
- Bake the Pizza: Place baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Enjoy! Slice the pizza, serve hot, and savor every delicious bite of the best Margarita pizza you’ve ever tasted!
So there you have it—a culinary adventure that led us to discover the best Margarita pizza in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and a recipe for recreating this masterpiece in your own kitchen. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Cheers to good food and great discoveries!