NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA
BASIC PIZZA DOUGH:
Cornmeal, if using a pizza peel
About 1/2 c. olive oil, preferably extra-virgin
3 c. (about 12 oz.) shredded Mozzarella cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
Toppings, choose 1 or a combination: cooked & crumbled sweet Italian sausage, anchovy fillets, sauteed sliced fresh mushrooms, sliced pepperoni, sliced cooked Italian meatballs, sliced green or red sweet pepper, sliced red or yellow sweet onion, ripe olives, crushed dried red chili pepper (all opt.)
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/3 c. (about 1 1/2 oz.) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Prepare the dough and preheat the oven. Roll out or stretch the pizza dough and place the dough on a pizza peel generously sprinkled with cornmeal or on a lightly oiled pizza screen. Brush dough all over with the best quality extra virgin olive oil, then add the Mozzarella cheese, (shredded Mozzarella cheese for pizza baking is available at the warehouse clubs in 5 pound bags and may be frozen before use), leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges. Top with the garlic and cover with the tomato sauce. Put the tomato sauce over the Mozzarella to get a good crust. Add 1 or more of the toppings, if desired, and sprinkle with the oregano and the fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Drizzle evenly with olive oil.
Transfer the pizza to the preheated baking surface and bake until the crust is golden brown and puffy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven to a cutting tray or board and lightly brush the crust with olive oil. Slice and serve immediately.
Sweet Pizza Dough Recipe
Source: Pizza Cooking with Style
Serves 6
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 egg yolk
About 2 tablespoons orange juice
RECIPE METHOD
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the flour, baking powder and sugar in a bowl. Rub in the butter. Add the egg yolk and enough of the orange juice to form a manageable dough, the consistency of pastry. (Alternatively, combine the mixture in a food processor).
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Roll out dough to fit on pan, then bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden.
Recipe reprinted by permission of Weldon Owen. All rights reserved.