Homemade Greek Pizza (Ladenia) Recipe: A Rustic Delight

Greek pizza, or (ladenia), offers a rustic culinary experience that transports you straight to the sun-drenched islands of the Aegean.

This traditional delicacy embodies the simplicity and bold flavors characteristic of Mediterranean cuisine.

Crisp dough serves as a canvas for vibrant, fresh ingredients that dance with remarkable harmony.

Minimal toppings allow each component to shine, creating a sensory journey through Greece’s rich gastronomic landscape.

Humble yet profound, this dish represents generations of home cooking wisdom passed down through family kitchens.

Its unpretentious nature belies a depth of flavor that will captivate your palate and challenge your perception of pizza.

Embrace this authentic Mediterranean delight and unlock a world of culinary passion.

Why Greek Pizza (Ladenia) Tastes So Authentic

• Recreate Mediterranean Magic: Transport your taste buds to the sun-soaked Greek islands with this simple yet authentic ladenia pizza that captures the essence of traditional coastal cooking.
• Unleash Effortless Flavor Layers: The recipe offers a no-fuss approach where you can create restaurant-quality pizza at home, combining fresh tomatoes, feta, and olive oil with minimal preparation and maximum deliciousness.
• Embrace Rustic Simplicity: This one-pan wonder delivers a crispy, golden crust topped with juicy tomatoes and tangy feta, making it perfect for casual family dinners, weekend gatherings, or a quick weeknight meal that feels like a culinary adventure.

Simple Ingredients for Greek Pizza (Ladenia)

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: Core ingredient for the pizza base, provides structure and texture to the dough.
• Instant Yeast: Essential for dough rising, creates light and airy texture.
• Castor Sugar: Helps activate yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the dough.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the dough's taste.

• Lukewarm Water: Crucial for activating yeast and creating smooth dough consistency.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor, helps dough elasticity, and provides moisture.

• Tomatoes, Red Onion: Classic Greek pizza vegetables that provide fresh, vibrant flavor and colorful appearance.
• Oregano: Traditional Greek herb that brings authentic Mediterranean seasoning and aromatic quality.
• Kalamata Olives: Optional topping that adds salty, briny Mediterranean character.

• Feta Cheese: Authentic Greek cheese that provides tangy, creamy element to the pizza.

Making Greek Pizza at Home the Easy Way

Step 1: Activate Yeast

• Grab a large mixing bowl
• Pour warm water
• Sprinkle yeast
• Add sugar
• Whisk ingredients gently
• Let mixture sit for 5 minutes until bubbles form

Step 2: Create Pizza Dough

• Add flour
• Pour olive oil
• Sprinkle salt
• Mix with wooden spoon
• Knead into soft, stretchy consistency
• Adjust with extra water or flour if needed

Step 3: Prepare Baking Pan

• Select round baking pan
• Coat interior with olive oil
• Transfer dough into pan
• Use fingertips to spread dough evenly
• Press gently to reach pan edges

Step 4: Allow Dough Rising

• Cover dough with damp kitchen towel
• Let rest at room temperature
• Wait 30 minutes for dough to rise

Step 5: Craft Topping Mixture

• Fresh tomatoes
• Sliced onions
• Dried oregano
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Kalamata olives (optional)
• Crumbled feta cheese

Combine all ingredients in separate bowl

Mix carefully without crushing tomatoes

Step 6: Preheat Cooking Station

• Set oven temperature to 400°F
• Allow oven to reach full temperature

Step 7: Assemble Pizza

• Gently stretch dough again
• Create finger dimples across surface
• Sprinkle feta cheese
• Distribute tomato mixture evenly

Step 8: Bake Mediterranean Delight

• Place pan in preheated oven
• Bake 30-40 minutes
• Watch for golden brown color
• Ensure bottom is fully cooked

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

• Remove from oven
• Let cool slightly
• Cut into wedges
• Serve warm or at room temperature
• Savor Mediterranean flavors

Best Tips for Greek Pizza with Bold Flavor

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water is lukewarm (not hot) to help yeast bloom without killing it.
• Stretch Dough Gently: Use fingertips to press and spread dough evenly, creating a rustic, authentic texture without tearing.
• Control Oil Moisture: Don't oversaturate the dough or topping; use high-quality olive oil sparingly for balanced flavor.
• Check Baking Doneness: Watch pizza edges for golden-brown color and listen for a slight sizzling sound indicating perfect crispness.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Allow ladenia to rest 10 minutes after baking to let flavors meld and achieve optimal texture.

How to Keep Greek Pizza Fresh and Tasty

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Greek Pizza in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pizza slice on a baking sheet and warm for 7-10 minutes until cheese melts and crust crisps. Drizzle extra olive oil for added flavor and moisture.
• Microwave Quick Option: Heat individual slices for 30-45 seconds on medium power. Place a damp paper towel over the slice to prevent edges from becoming tough and keep the texture soft.

What to Serve with Greek Pizza (Ladenia)

• Crisp Wine Companion: Pair this ladenia with a chilled, crisp white wine like assyrtiko from Santorini, which perfectly complements the tangy tomatoes and rich olive oil.
• Fresh Herb Drizzle: After baking, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil over the pizza to enhance the Mediterranean flavors and add a bright, aromatic touch.
• Zesty Salad Partner: Serve alongside a light Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and a simple lemon-olive oil dressing to balance the pizza's richness and add refreshing crunch.
• Cool Yogurt Dip: Prepare a quick tzatziki with Greek yogurt, garlic, cucumber, and dill as a cool, creamy side that cuts through the pizza's rich, oily texture.

Greek Pizza Variations Worth Trying

• Spicy Mediterranean Marvel: Kick up the heat by adding sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the tomato mixture. The fiery touch brings a bold, zesty dimension to the classic Greek pizza.
• Herb Garden Edition: Incorporate fresh chopped basil, mint, or dill alongside oregano for a vibrant, aromatic profile. These herbs elevate the pizza's freshness and create a more complex flavor landscape.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Scatter cooked and crumbled chorizo, shredded chicken, or crispy pancetta over the tomato topping. The added protein transforms the light pizza into a more substantial meal.
• Vegetable Bounty Version: Mix in roasted bell peppers, zucchini slices, or artichoke hearts with the tomato topping. These vegetables add texture, color, and nutritional value to the traditional Ladenia.

Greek Pizza (Ladenia) Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ladenia, a rustic Greek pizza, showcases the simplicity of Mediterranean cuisine with its olive oil-drenched dough and ripe tomatoes. Perfect for sharing, this island specialty will transport you to the sun-kissed shores of Kimolos with its authentic flavors and irresistible charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (410 g) all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups lukewarm water
• 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Dough Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon castor (superfine) sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil (plus more for greasing the pan)

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon oregano, ground in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
• 0.75 cup (3.5 ounces or 100 g) crumbled feta cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast mixture by whisking yeast, sugar, and warm water in a spacious mixing vessel, allowing it to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Incorporate flour, olive oil, and salt into the yeast mixture, kneading with a wooden utensil to create a supple, elastic dough. Adjust liquid or flour proportions if the consistency appears too dry or sticky.
3. Generously coat an 11-inch circular baking pan with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Gently transfer the prepared dough into the greased pan, utilizing fingertips to delicately spread and ease the dough towards the pan’s perimeter.
5. Shield the dough with a moistened kitchen towel, permitting it to rise and expand for half an hour in a warm environment.
6. Assemble the topping by combining ripe tomatoes, sliced onions, fragrant oregano, and olive oil in a preparation bowl. Carefully fold in salt and optional olives, maintaining the tomatoes’ structural integrity.
7. Calibrate the oven temperature to 400°F, allowing it to thoroughly preheat.
8. Revisit the risen dough, tenderly stretching and creating textural dimples across its surface using fingertips.
9. Distribute crumbled feta cheese evenly across the dough’s landscape.
10. Artfully arrange the prepared tomato mixture atop the cheese-covered surface.
11. Position the pizza in the preheated oven, baking for 30-40 minutes until the base achieves a golden-brown complexion and the edges develop a crisp texture.
12. Extract the ladenia from the oven, allow brief cooling, then slice into wedges for serving. Relish the robust Mediterranean flavors at warm or ambient temperatures.

Notes

• Master the art of stretching dough using fingertips, creating a canvas that celebrates the rich, sun-drenched flavors of the Mediterranean.
• Embrace the spontaneity of traditional cooking by allowing the dough to rise naturally and letting tomatoes and onions mingle with fragrant olive oil.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg