Fresh Topped Pizza Recipes

FRESH HERB PIZZA

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over 3/4 cup warm (not lukewarm) water in a bowl and leave to sit for a bit.
• In a mixer, add the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and with the mixer running on low speed (with the paddle attachment), slowly pour in the olive oil and keep going until it's mixed through. Next, pour in the yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined.
• Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, tip the dough in and form it into a ball. Toss to coat the dough ball in the olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for at least 1 hour, or up to 3 or 4 days.
• Arrange the oven rack in the lowest position and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Drizzle a large baking sheet with olive oil.
• Roll out the pizza dough as thinly as possible and place it on the baking sheet. Drizzle over some extra-virgin olive oil, sprinkle over some salt and pepper and place the mozzarella slices all over the dough.
• Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Put the arugula, whole basil leaves and parsley in a bowl and toss with the extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Scatter over the pizza, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve.

FRUIT PIZZA I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in egg. combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Press dough into an ungreased pizza pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until light. Spread on cooled crust.
• Arrange desired fruit on top of filling, and chill.

THE BEST PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar; add yeast and whisk until dissolved. Let stand until bubbles form on surface. In a large bowl, whisk 3 cups flour, salt, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and, if desired, dried herbs. Make a well in center; add yeast mixture and oil. Stir until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead, adding more flour to surface as needed until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes; transfer bowl to refrigerator and chill overnight. Allow dough to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes, before rolling.

BEST PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Follow the Pizza Dough Master Recipe to prepare the dough. (This takes about 15 minutes to make and 45 minutes to rest.)
• Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500°F. OR preheat your pizza oven (here's the pizza oven we use).
• Make the Easy Pizza Sauce.
• If using fresh mozzarella cheese, slice it into 1/4 inch thick pieces (see the photos of the pre-baked pizza above). If it's incredibly watery fresh mozzarella (all brands vary), you may want to let it sit on a paper towel to remove moisture for about 15 minutes then dab the mozzarella with the paper towel to remove any additional moisture.
• When the oven is ready, dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. (If you don't have a pizza peel, you can use a rimless baking sheet or the back of a rimmed baking sheet. But a pizza peel is well worth the investment!) Stretch the dough into a circle; see this video for instructions. Then gently place the dough onto the pizza peel.
• Spread a thin layer of the pizza sauce over the dough, using about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Add the mozzarella cheese. Top with a thin layer of fresh grated Parmesan cheese and a few pinches of kosher salt.
• Use the pizza peel to carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone. Bake the pizza until the cheese and crust are nicely browned, about 5 to 7 minutes in the oven (or 1 minute in a pizza oven).
• Allow the pizza to cool for a minute or two before adding the basil on top (whole leaves, lightly torn, or thinly sliced). Slice into pieces and serve immediately.

FRESH TOPPED PIZZA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Put the flour, salt, olive oil, yeast, rosemary and pepper into a food processor. Pulse until well mixed. With the motor running, add enough water to bring the flour to a soft, but not sticky dough. Tip onto a work surface and knead until it comes together.
• Halve the dough. If you only have one shelf in your oven and are cooking in batches, wrap one half in cling film. Roll out each half directly onto lightly oiled baking sheets into very thin 25cm/10in rounds. Do not form a rim at the edge. Spread the tomato topping over each piece of dough, almost to the edge. Leave to stand for 15 mins. Bake in the hot oven for 12-15 mins or until the dough is crisp.
• Lift each round onto a plate and serve warm. Pass the toppings around and let each diner assemble their own pizza.

FRESH FRUIT PIZZA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. Press dough into a 14- or 16-in. pizza pan. Bake at 350° 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool. , For filling, beat cream cheese until smooth; add sugar and whipped topping. Spread over crust. , For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine cornstarch and juices until smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Set aside 1/2 cup; spread remaining warm glaze over filling. , Arrange fruit over pizza; brush with reserved glaze. Chill until serving. (Note: If making a day ahead, substitute another seasonal fruit for bananas.)