Pizza all’Andrea. An Ancient Ligurian Recipe

preparation

1. 1

   Biga Preparation (First Stage)

   Mixing: In a large bowl, dissolve 10 g of fresh brewer’s yeast in the milk and 330 ml of lukewarm water.

   First dough: Add about 200 g of the total flour and knead until you obtain a soft, smooth dough.

   Resting: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise in a sheltered place, such as an oven switched off with the light on, for about 1–2 hours, or until it has doubled in volume. This first step helps create the basic gluten structure.

2. 2

   Final Dough (Second Stage)

   Incorporation: Return to the risen dough and add the remaining flour (300 g) and half of the oil (about 50 ml).

   Kneading: Add about 10–12 g of fine salt, then knead vigorously by hand or with a stand mixer for about 10 minutes. The dough should become elastic and non-sticky.

   Second rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it back in the covered bowl, and let it rise until it triples in volume. This is where the magic happens: the dough structure strengthens, allowing it to hold the soffritto without collapsing.

3. 3

   Shaping in the Pan

   Preparing the pan: Generously grease a baking tray with the remaining oil.

   Shaping: Place the dough in the center and gently stretch it toward the edges using your fingertips. Do not press too firmly; you want to preserve the air the dough has developed during the second rise.

   Final rest: Let the dough rest in the tray for another 20 minutes before adding the topping. This step is crucial to prevent the dough from shrinking during baking.

4. 4

   The Soffritto

   Thinly slice the onions and let them soften gently in a pan with the remaining oil and the garlic cloves, which should be removed at the end of cooking.

   Add the peeled tomatoes, crushing them with a fork, and the finely chopped anchovy fillets. Cook over very low heat until the mixture becomes thick and flavorful; it should remain moist and must not dry out completely.

5. 5

   Topping:

   Spread the onion, tomato, and anchovy soffritto evenly over the surface. Add the brined olives and the fresh basil, torn by hand. Make sure the topping is evenly distributed, creating a uniform layer that will keep the pizza moist during baking.

6. 6

   Baking:

   Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C for about 20–25 minutes. The bottom of the pizza should be well baked and golden, while the top should remain soft and succulent, protected by the soffritto, which should not dry out completely.