Paola's Pizza in Umbria

Video + Recipe

I’ve known Paola for ages. She is from the next town over from ours here in Umbria and I first met her through my friend Evan. Evan had been hired to cater at a villa here in Umbria and when she was looking for a local woman to help her out, everyone mentioned Paola. I think it’s now almost 25 years on, and I’ve been watching Paola cook at various homes around the area all this time. Paola has been cooking at my friend Laura’s home for the last 23 years or so, and during that time I’ve been lucky enough to follow along in the kitchen whenever I visit. I always learn something new whenever I’m in the kitchen with Paola.

Although I’ve watched Paola bake bread, pizza and focaccia over the years, last month when she made it I once again found myself learning a few new tricks. I’ll share the videos below, along with the recipe for the basic dough.