Four Seasons Pizza Recipes

FOUR SEASONS PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Activate Dry Yeast: In a small bowl combine yeast, sugar and lukewarm water that's approximately 105-110°F (40-43°C). Let it sit for 10 minutes until bubbly foam forms on the surface.
• Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl mix together flour and salt. Then create a well in the middle.
• Pour the yeast mixture into the well. Bring the flour in gradually from the sides with your hands to blend into the liquid.
• When everything is slightly mixed, add the oil. (It's important to add oil last as this allows the flour to hydrate properly)
• Knead the Dough: Keep mixing and when everything starts to come together, knead your dough by hand for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic (You will need about 8 minutes if you use a mixer. See notes below). You need to knead until the dough is soft and elastic. If it slowly bounces back when you poke it with your finger, it is ready for the next step.
• Let the Dough Rise: Grease another large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough into the bowl and rub with oil all over.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 30 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size. (After rising, you can wrap and store it in the fridge or freezer for later use, or if you use it immediately, continue to the next step).
• Preheat the Oven: When the dough almost finishes rising, this is the time to preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). It usually takes about 15 minutes to heat up.
• Shape the Dough: Place the dough on a floured surface and stretch the dough by gently flattening it into a 12-inch (30mm) circle with your fingers. Stretch it out to about 1/8-inch (3mm) thick for a thin crust, and 1/4-inch (6mm) thick for a thick crust. (Avoid kneading the dough at this stage)
• Transfer it to a nonstick pizza pan or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Use a fork to poke holes across the surface of the dough, so it doesn't develop large bubbles while baking.
• Brush your crust lightly with olive oil all around.
• Fall: Brush one quarter of the crust with tomato sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top and arrange the sliced mushrooms on the cheese.
• Winter: Arrange the sliced potato to cover one quarter of the pizza. Add sliced onion on top followed by optional ham and parmesan.
• Spring: On the next quarter of the pizza, sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly. Then arrange the artichoke hearts on top.
• Summer: On the final quarter, sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly. Then add the tomato slices and half of the basil leaves.
• Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until puffy and golden.
• Remove from the oven. Garnish the summer quarter with fresh basil and cool slightly before serving.

FOUR SEASONS SKILLET PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• For the pizza sauce: Add the tomato puree, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon water to a bowl and mix together.
• For the pizza: Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Saute on high, tossing and moving them so they cook quickly, until the mushrooms have released their water and have started to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove them to a plate and wipe the skillet carefully with a paper towel.
• To assemble the pizza: Place the pizza crust in the skillet. Spread the pizza sauce over the crust leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle with the mozzarella. Imagine the pizza divided into four quadrants representing the seasons.
• For spring: Arrange the artichoke hearts over one quadrant and sprinkle with the fontina.
• For summer: Arrange the tomatoes on a second quadrant cut-side up, placing the mozzarella pearls around them.
• For fall: Arrange the sauteed mushrooms on a third quadrant.
• For winter: Arrange the pepperoni and olives on the last quadrant.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the pizza is hot and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Garnish with the Parmesan and basil.

FOUR SEASONS PIZZA

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients listed under 'For the sauce' to prepare the sauce.
• Knead together the ingredients listed under 'For the dough' to prepare the dough.
• Then make mounds of dough, each weighing 225gms.
• Flatted the balls of dough in a round shape.
• Spread on the sauce evenly on each mound.
• Add home-made or mozzarella cheese and finely chopped veggies.
• Cook for 12 to 15 minutes in an oven at 275°C.
• Garnish with chopped basil and serve hot.

FOUR SEASONS PIZZA: PIZZA QUATTRO STAGIONE

Steps:

• Prepare the dough 1 hour prior to making pizza. Divide the dough into 4 (6-ounce) balls. Allow to rise until ready to shape.
• Preheat oven with pizza stone to 500 degrees F.
• Prepare the toppings. In a bowl, combine the mozzarella and Fontina. In a small saute pan, over high heat, saute the mushrooms in the olive oil until done. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool. Reserve. Remove the meat from the steamed clams and reserve. Discard the shells. Slice the tomato into at least 6 thin round slices. Reserve.
• To assemble the pizzas: Place a ball of dough on floured board and stretch to about 10 or 12 inches. Repeat with 2 additional balls. Divide last dough ball into 6 pieces, and roll each one into 10-inch strips. Divide tomato sauce evenly on dough circles leaving a small rim. Divide the cheese on top of each pizza. Carefully place 2 strips of dough over each pizza so that you have 4 quarters which represent the 4 seasons.
• Garnish each quarter: 1 with tomato, 1 with clams, 1 with mushrooms, and 1 with prosciutto julienne.
• Slide pizza onto hot pizza stone. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving plate. Sprinkle basil over tomato section and grated Parmesan over the mushroom section. Serve immediately.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in 1/4-cup warm water.
• In a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour and the salt. Add the oil, the yeast mixture, and the remaining 3/4 cup of water and mix on low speed until the dough comes cleanly away from the sides of the bowl and clusters around the dough hook, about 5 minutes. (The pizza dough can also be made in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse once or twice, add the remaining ingredients, and process until the dough begins to form a ball.)
• Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead by hand 2 or 3 minutes longer. The dough should be smooth and firm. Cover the dough with a clean, damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes. (When ready, the dough will stretch as it is lightly pulled).
• Divide the dough into 4 balls, about 6 ounces each. Work each ball by pulling down the sides and tucking under the bottom of the ball. Repeat 4 or 5 times. Then on a smooth, unfloured surface, roll the ball under the palm of your hand until the top of the dough is smooth and firm, about 1 minute. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let rest 15 to 20 minutes. At this point, the balls can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
• Yield: 4 (8-inch) pizzas
• In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil. Over medium heat, saute the onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Add the tomato paste, tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes or until sauce thickens.
• Strain into a clean saucepan. Whisk in butter, piece by piece. Add basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Use as needed.
• Yield: 2 1/2 cups
• Place the chicken bones in a 6 or 7-quart pot, pour cold water over to cover, and bring to a rolling boil. Skim off the foam and fat that collects on the top.
• Add the remaining ingredients, lower the heat to a simmer, and simmer uncovered for 2 to 3 hours, skimming as necessary. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl and cool. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 days, discarding the hardened layer of fat before using or freezing.
• Yield: about 2 quarts
• Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, "Pizza, Pasta & More!," Random House, 2000