Category Archives: Pizza

Ricotta, Pea and Prosciutto Pizza

I’ve gone pea wild! I love spring when fresh peas start to show up in abundance. I was shopping in my favorite food market and found both english peas and sugar snap peas. Of course I couldn’t decide on which to buy, so I bought both and decided to celebrate with a little pea fest in the kitchen. First up is this yummy pizza, make with 3 cheeses and then topped with peas and ham one of those perfect duets in food. I opted for the italian version of this combo and used prosciutto. I wanted to kept the peas fresh, crisp  and vibrant green so I decided to blanch them and toss then over the pizza once it came out of the hot oven. The last touch is grating some fresh lemon zest on top to brighten all the flavors. This is a pizza you’ll want to try as soon as you find some fresh peas, but if you can’t find fresh peas, you can blanch some frozen baby peas and they will work just as well. Enjoy!
From by the bay wishing you pea green food memories!
Maryann
blog pea pizza
Ricotta, Pea and Prosciutto Pizza

Ingredients
no-knead pizza dough for one pizza ( see recipe below)
1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese
4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded or cut into small cubes
1/4 cup grated parimigano reggiano
2 -3 slices San Daniele proscuitto, in strips
1/4 cup fresh spring peas
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
coarse sea saltDirections
Make pizza as directed below. Blanch peas, by tossing into boiling water for 1 minutes, then strain the peas and place in ice water to stop cooking. Once cooled, strain and dry and set aside as a pizza topping. Once pizza dough is rolled out top with ricotta, mozzarella, grated cheese and strips of prosciutto. Bake as directed. Before serving sprinkle with peas, lemon zest and some coarse sea salt. Serve immediately.

No-Knead Pizza Dough
Adapted from Jim Lahey, Co., as featured on “Tasting Table” 
Makes four 12-inch pizza crusts
Time: About 1½ hours plus 14 to 20 hours’ rising

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
¼ teaspoon instant yeast (such as SAF brand)
1½ teaspoons salt
1½ cups water

Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the yeast and salt. Add the water and stir until blended (the dough will be very sticky). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 12 to 24 hours in a warm spot, about 70°.
2. Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and lightly sprinkle the top with flour. Fold the dough over on itself once or twice, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
3. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Generously sprinkle a clean cotton towel with flour and cover the dough balls with it. Let the dough rise for 2 hours.
4. Stretch or toss the dough into the desired shape, cover with toppings and bake on top of a very hot pizza stone or on a oiled baking sheet in a 500 degree F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes until dough is cripsy and golden brown.

Co., 230 Ninth Ave. (at 24th St.); 212-243-1105 or co-pane.com

GET YOUR DAILY SERVING OF FOOD & DRINK CULTURE: MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AT TASTINGTABLE.COM/MANAGE

Fig Blue Cheese Pizza

I met a good friend of mine for dinner recently in Chelsea at Co. ( short for “company”) for what she described as the best pizza this side of the Atlantic Ocean. I have been spoiled by all the work trips to Italy over the years resulting in some very high standards for pizza. Well, the pizza and meal was amazing! The dough was chewy and bubbly. As soon as I got home I was on the internet looking for the recipe for this pizza dough. The restaurant is owned by the talented Jim Lahey, the founder of the “Sullivan Street Bakery”. What I was most surprised by is this is a  “no- knead” pizza dough recipe. What you do need is time to allow the dough to rise, but the recipe itself could not be more simple . I highly recommend this recipe when you have the time. When I made this dough recently, I used some wonderful black mission figs and Point Reyes Blue Cheese for a fantastic fall pizza. Remember you can always be creative with your pizza toppings and they will always come out good if you use the best ingredients you can fine. Also, if you have the chance do try going for a meal at Co. , it’s located at 230 Ninth Avenue in Chelsea , New York.

From by the bay wishing you crispy and chewy pizza food memories!
Maryann

blog fig pizza

Fig Blue Cheese Pizza

Ingredients
no-knead pizza dough for one pizza ( see recipe below)
4-5 fresh Black Mission figs sliced
1/2 cup Point Reyes Blue Cheese, crumbled  ( or any other good quality blue cheese)
1/4 cup grated parimigano reggiano
2 -3 slices San Daniele proscuitto, in strips

Directions
Make pizza as directed below. Before baking , top the dough with figs, blue cheese and grated cheese. Bake as directed. Before serving add the strips of proscuitto.

No-Knead Pizza Dough
Adapted from Jim Lahey, Co., as featured on “Tasting Table”
Makes four 12-inch pizza crusts
Time: About 1½ hours plus 14 to 20 hours’ rising

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
¼ teaspoon instant yeast (such as SAF brand)
1½ teaspoons salt
1½ cups water

Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the yeast and salt. Add the water and stir until blended (the dough will be very sticky). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 12 to 24 hours in a warm spot, about 70°.
2. Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and lightly sprinkle the top with flour. Fold the dough over on itself once or twice, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
3. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Generously sprinkle a clean cotton towel with flour and cover the dough balls with it. Let the dough rise for 2 hours.
4. Stretch or toss the dough into the desired shape, cover with toppings and bake on top of a very hot pizza stone or on a oiled baking sheet in a 500 degree F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes until dough is cripsy and golden brown.

Co., 230 Ninth Ave. (at 24th St.); 212-243-1105 or co-pane.com

GET YOUR DAILY SERVING OF FOOD & DRINK CULTURE: MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AT TASTINGTABLE.COM/MANAGE

Weekend Goddess Making Pizza


I think of myself as a weekday warrior and weekend goddess. I spend the work week as a fashion warrior, working hard in a very competitive industry, living in Manhattan in a city of grey and black. The pace is fast.  My weekend’s are a complete shift . I move from the city to the country, living by the bay. The water is majestic and calming. The landscape is filled with color. I move from working at the desk to creating in the kitchen .  I travel to “by the bay” on fridays evenings by train. No matter what time I arrive, I’ll find the time to transition from weekday warrior to weekend goddess. The surest way to get there is getting into my kitchen and whip up a quick dinner after the commute to the house. One of my things to make is pizza. I have tried so many different pizza dough recipes and my favorite is the one from Jamie Oliver . I have adapted the technique to make the dough a little easier to prepare and  as well as the clean up. This version also works well when using your home oven. I, like most home cooks, do not have my own wood burning pizza oven in my backyard. This recipe works perfectly using your oven. You must try this pizza dough and I’m sharing two favorite pizza toppings – but pizza toppings is definitely one of times you can really get creative and experiment. So have fun with this and hope it inspires the weekend goddess in each of you!

From by the bay wishing you the most creative food memories!
Maryann

Basic Pizza Dough – adapted from Jamie Oliver’s recipe in “Jamie’s Italy”
Makes 2  – 17 inch pizzas

3 1/2 cups strong white bread flour or Tipo “00” flour
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4-ounce packets active dried yeast
1 teaspoon fine granulated sugar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
extra semolina flour , for rolling

In a measuring cup combine water, sugar , oil and yeast. Let sit for about 10 minutes. In the meantime measure the flour and salt and combine in a large mixing bowl. Create a small well in the middle of the flour and add the ingredients from the measuring cup. Use a fork to swirl and combine incorporating as much of the liquid into the flour as you. Turn out the dough on to a clean work surface , with well floured hands start to knead the dough together. Knead until you have a smooth dough – about ten minutes. Place in a bowl tht has been wiped with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for about an hour. Remove plastic wrap and punch the dough down. Divde dough into 2 portions. Roll dough on on to a work surface floured with the semolina and roll out into a  17 inch circle with a rolling pin, continuing to use semolina so the dough does not stick to the work surface of rolling pin. Place onto a 17 inch oiled pizza pan. Use the topping of your choice and bake in a 500 degree F oven for approximately 10 minutes until baked.

The remaining portion of dough can be used immediately or keep in the refrigerator for up to two days. When ready to use remove from refrigerator and bring to room temperature before rolling out. You may also place in a plastic freezer bag and keep in the freezer for up to one month. Defrost on counter before rolling out.

 

Pizza La Luna
Makes 8 slices

1 portion pizza dough

3 cooked chicken sausage broken in small pieces

6 slow slow roasted tomatoes

½ cup crumbled Soft Colombo Gorgonzola

½ cup shaved pecorino

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves

¼ cup caramelized onions

1 tablespoon olive oil plus to prep pan

Directions

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Spray pizza pan with olive oil. Roll out pizza dough into a 17” round to fit pizza pan and transfer dough to pan. Layer pizza with sausage, caramelized onions, gorgonzola, pecorino and rosemary. Drizzle very lightly with olive oil. Let rest 20 minutes. Place pizza in oven and

ake pizza on center rack until the crust is crisp and brown on bottom and the cheese is melted on top, about 10 minutes. Cut pizza into 8 slices.

 

Tip: Cut slightly cooled pizza with scissor.

blog pizza broccoli rabe 


Bianco Broccoli Rabe Pizza

Makes 8 slices

 

1 portion pizza dough

1 cup broccoli rabe

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan reggiano

1/2 cup grated percorino (using large hole grater)

2 tablespoons olive oil

 

Directions 

Clean broccoli rabe, cutting off stems. Bring to boil large pot of water. Add broccoli rabe and blanche for about 1 minute. Drain and rinse broccoli rabe with cold water and let drain. Pat broccoli rabe dry with paper towels. In a medium saute pan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, add garlic and saute for one minute, add broccoli rabe and saute for 2-3 minutes until tender. Place to the side and cool. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. On a clean surface add some flour and roll out the pizza dough until it fits a 17″ pizza pan, presprayed with olive oil. Place dough on pan. Smooth layer of ricotta cheese across the pizza leaving 1/2 inch around the edges without the topping. Next add the broccoli rabe, scatter the parmesan cheese and the the grated percorino. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes until the pizza is brown. Slice and serve.

 

Chilled Zucchini Soup with Mint and Roasted Zucchini and Summer Squash Pizza

Walking into my favorite farm stand on the weekends always reminds me of my childhood when I walked along the side my grandmother to pick vegetables and foods to prepare for the next meal. The walk was always filled with a beautiful array of colors and shapes. With produce at it’s glorious peak right now I have the same experience at the local farm stand. This week, I was confronted with an abundance of zucchini and summer squashes in a riot of colors – from sunshine yellow to pale green. I gathered a wide of variety of  squash filling a basket , added some onions , mint and thyme and made my way back to the kitchen to try a few different recipes. I’m sharing here with you the best fruit of my labor.

From by the bay wishing you the sunniest of food memories!

Maryann

 

blog zuchini soup

 

 

Chilled Zucchini Soup with Mint

Serves 6

4-5 medium zucchini sliced in rounds approximately 2 pounds

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small white onion, chopped

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, plus extra for garnish

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ cup fresh mint chopped

1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

additional coarse sea salt to finishing

Directions

In a large pot heat olive oil and sauté the white onion until softened about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini, salt and pepper stirring occasionally until the zucchini is softened, about 5 more minutes. Add the broth to the pot, bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer until the zucchini is tender, about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Using a food processor puree the zucchini mixture along with the parmesan cheese, pine nuts, mint and lemon juice. Pour into a bowl adding the buttermilk and blend. Cover and place in the refrigerator to cool for at least 3 hours. Adjust seasoning with coarse sea salt. Serve chilled and garnish with toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of olive oil.


blog zucchini pizza

 

Roasted Zucchini and Summer Squash Pizza

Serves Six

 

1 small zucchini

1/2 small summer squash

1/2 medium vidalia onion

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

6 tablespoons ricotta

2 slices prosciutto

2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

4 sprigs thyme 

pizza dough for one 14″ pizza ( home made or store bought)

additional coarse sea salt

semolina flour to roll pizza dough

Directions

Preheat over to 400F. On a lined baking sheet add zucchini and squash sliced into 1/4″ rounds. Next add the onions thinly sliced. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt an pepper. Place in oven to roast until vegetables begin to brown, approximately 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. When ready to made the pizza preheat oven to 500F. Divide the pizza dough into two portions. Spread some semolina flour on a clean surface to roll dough and also a little on top. Using a rolling pin,  roll each portion into a rectangle approximately 15″ by 5 ” . Bake each pizza in the center of a pizza pan. Divide the toppings on to each rectangle first the roasted squash and onions, then little bits of ricotta cheese, sprinkle with the parmesan cheese, thyme leaves removed from sprigs and finally tear the prosciutto into pieces and add to the top. Bake in the oven until crisp approximately 15 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and serve.

Date, Artichoke and Jalapeno Pizza

blog jalapeno pizza
It’s the time of year to start moving activities outdoors. Setting up my outdoor space reminds of the wonderful time I spent in Napa Valley. So naturally, I decided to relive my wonderful memories of the wine country by making a pizza with some favorite Napa ingredients: baby artichokes, dates and jalapeno peppers. The result is this zesty pizza , which balances both sweet and salty with a touch of heat. The artichokes definitely add to the taste of Spring. I’ve also added the recipe for Nancy Silverton’s pizza dough from “The Mozza Cookbook”.  She worked on a recipe that works for home ovens and I find this is the recipe I use over and over again with great results. It was developed with bread baking technique’s developing a sponge to ferment before adding the remaining ingredients. The result is a delicious crispy crust.From by the bay wishing you zesty pizza food memories!
Maryann
Date, Artichoke and Jalapeno Pizza
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 portion pizza dough
4 medjool dates
4 artichoke hearts, canned in water or freshly steamed
1 jalapeno
1 onion, sliced thinly
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounces asiago cheese, in thin slices
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 portion fresh pizza dough
Directions
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Spray pizza pan with olive oil. Prepare toppings. Heat oil and saute onions until they start to caramelize. Remove from heat and set aside. Slice jalapeno into thin rounds about 1/8 inch thick. Cut each artichoke in half. Pull dates apart into 3 pieces. Roll out pizza dough into a 17” round to fit pizza pan and transfer dough to pan. Layer pizza with asiago cheese, onions, artichokes, dates and jalapeno rounds. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Let rest 20 minutes. Place pizza in oven and make pizza on center rack until the crust is crisp and brown on bottom and the cheese is melted on top, about 10 minutes. Cut pizza into 8 slices.
Nancy Silverton’s Pizza Dough Recipe 
 
Makes enough dough for 6 pizzas; each pizza serves 1 or for 2 large pizzas
 
Ingredients
22 ounces warm tap water (2 cups, 6 ounces)
1⁄2 ounce (1 Tbsp) compressed yeast or 1 tsp active dry yeast
26 ounces unbleached bread flour, plus more as needed
1⁄2 ounce (1 Tbsp) dark rye flour or medium rye flour
1 1⁄2 tsp wheat germ
1 1⁄2 tsp barley malt or mild-flavored honey, such as clover or wildflower
1⁄2 ounce (1 Tbsp) kosher salt
Olive oil, grapeseed oil, or another neutral flavored oil, such as canola oil, for greasing the bowl
Directions
To make the sponge, put 15 ounces of the water and the yeast in the bowl of a standing mixer and let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve the yeast. Add 13 ounces of the bread flour, the rye flour, and the wheat germ. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients. Wrap the bowl tightly in plastic wrap and tightly wrap the perimeter of the bowl with kitchen twine or another piece of plastic wrap to further seal the bowl. Set the dough aside at room temperature (ideally 68 to 70 degrees) for 1 1⁄2 hours.
Uncover the bowl and add the remaining 7 ounces of water, the remaining 13 ounces of bread flour, and the barley malt. Fit the mixer with a dough hook, place the bowl on the mixer stand, and mix the dough on low speed for 2 minutes. Add the salt and mix on medium speed for 6 to 8 minutes, until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Note that the dough will not pull so much that it completely cleans the bowl, but if the dough is too sticky and is not pulling away from the sides at all, throw a small handful of flour into the bowl to make it less sticky. While the dough is mixing, lightly grease with olive oil a bowl large enough to hold the dough when it doubles in size. Turn the dough out of the mixer into the oiled bowl. Wrap the bowl as before. Set the dough aside at room temperature for 45 minutes. Dust your work surface lightly with flour and turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Acting as if the round has four sides, fold the edges of the dough toward the center. Turn the dough over and return it, folded side down, to the bowl. Cover the bowl again with plastic wrap and set it aside for 45 minutes.
Dust your work surface again lightly with flour and turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Divide the dough into six equal segments, each weighing approximately 7 ounces. Gently tuck the edges of each round of dough under itself. Cover the dough rounds with a clean dishtowel and let them rest for 5 minutes.
Lightly flour your hands and use both hands to gather each round of dough into a taut ball. Dust a baking sheet generously with flour and place the dough rounds on the baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with the dishtowel and set them again at room temperature for 1 hour to proof the dough. (Or leave the dough on the counter to proof instead.)
Excerpted from The Mozza Cookbook by Nancy Silverton with Matt Molina and Carolynn Carreno. Copyright © 2011 by Nancy Silverton. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.