Stuffed Pizza With Variations Spinach And Fontina Escarole Anchovy Pine Nut And Raisin Prosciutto Cotto And Scamorza Recipes

STUFFED PIZZA WITH VARIATIONS: SPINACH AND FONTINA, ESCAROLE, ANCHOVY, PINE NUT AND RAISIN, PROSCIUTTO COTTO AND SCAMORZA

Steps:

• Add the water to a bowl. Then add the yeast a little at a time and break up the cube of yeast with your hands. Let the yeast fully dissolve in the warm water and let stand for 2 minutes.
• Add the flour on a smooth work surface and create a well in the center of the flour. Slowly add the yeast-water mixture, olive oil, and salt until the flour has absorbed the liquid. Knead the dough until the mixture becomes an even dough consistency. If necessary, add a little more flour to absorb any excess liquid.
• Divide the dough into 4 equal portions to make individual-size pizzas. Place on a lightly-floured surface or pan and cover with a cloth. Let rest for about an hour at room temperature or until the dough has doubled in size. Yield: 4 servings
• For the spinach and fontina pizza: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stretch out the pizza dough and roll out on a lightly-floured surface. In a frying pan heat the olive oil and brown the garlic. Add the spinach and saute until just wilted. Add salt, to taste and let cool.
• Add the sauteed spinach to 1/2 the dough and top with slices of fontina cheese. Fold the dough over. Pinch the opposite ends of the dough together to seal. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
• For the escarole, anchovy, pine nut and raisin pizza: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stretch out the pizza dough and roll out on a lightly-floured surface. In a frying pan add the olive oil, anchovies, and brown the garlic. Add the olives, pine nuts, raisins and fry together for another minute. Add the escarole and cook until wilted.
• Add the sauteed escarole onto one-half of the dough. Additional anchovies may be added. Fold over. Pinch the opposite ends together. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
• For the prosciutto cotto and scamorza pizza: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stretch out the pizza dough and roll out on a lightly-floured surface. Place the prosciutto cotto, scamorza, and sun-dried tomatoes on1/2 the dough. Fold over. Pinch the opposite ends together to seal. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.

CHICAGO-STYLE STUFFED SPINACH PIZZA

Steps:

• Crust: dissolve yeast and sugar in water in a large bowl; let stand until bubbly; stir in oil then stir in 4 cups of the flour until smooth; add additional flour as needed to form a stiff dough.
• Lightly flour the work surface; knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 7 to 10 minutes; put into a greased bowl; turn to coat top then let rise, covered, in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Sauce: heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add garlic, cook 2 minutes; stir in tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and pepper; simmer until very thick, about 30 minutes or so.
• Filling: mix spinach, mozzarella, mushrooms, parmesan, romano, garlic, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
• Heat oven to 450°.
• Punch down dough; let rest 10 minutes.
• Lightly oil a 12-inch pizza pan that is at least 2" deep.
• Roll two-thirds of dough into a 16-inch circle; let sides overhang the pan.
• Put the spinach mixture into center of dough; smooth evenly over the surface.
• Roll the remaining dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch circle; place over the spinach filling then pinch the edges together and cut excess dough at the edges so that the bottom dough is level with the top crust.
• Pour sauce over the dough to cover.
• Bake until crust is golden, 20-40 minutes.
• Let stand 10 minutes before slicing into wedges for serving.
• Ice cold beer or root beer is great with this pizza.