Awesome Italian Braided Pizza Food

EASY CALZONE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 °F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with oil.
• Divide the dough into 8 equally sized pieces. Roll each piece into a 1/4" thick circle.
• Place the filling on half of each circle (pizza sauce, ricotta, pepperoni, salami and shredded mozzarella). Make sure to leave the edges clean to allow for sealing the calzone. Fold the side over the filling and crimp the edges.
• Place calzones on a baking sheet, leaving space apart. Cut a small vent on the top of each calzone. Brush the tops with oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

PIZZA BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl and stir until smooth. Microwave the sauce, stirring halfway through, until hot, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Put the pizza dough on a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough and sprinkle with the mozzarella and pepperoni pieces.
• Working from one long side, roll up the rectangle like a jelly roll and position it seam-side down on a cutting board. Use a paring knife to trim the ends of the dough log, then cut the log in half lengthwise. Lay the 2 halves cut-side up next to each other and twist them together into a tight loaf about 12 inches long.
• Transfer the twisted dough to the prepared baking sheet and brush gently all over with the egg mixture. Bake until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted in the center, 30 to 32 minutes. Transfer the braid to a cutting board, cut into slices and serve with the remaining pizza sauce for dipping.

ITALIAN DELI STYLE FRENCH BREAD PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the bread halves on a sheet tray. Drizzle the olive oil on each half of the bread, then spread on the marinara sauce evenly. Layer on the sopressata and hard salami by folding and overlapping the slices. Top with the Parmesan and smoked mozzarella.
• Bake until the cheese is bubbling and the meat is very hot, 8 to 10 minutes. (Finish under the broiler if desired.)
• Immediately distribute the olives and peppers evenly. Grate the ricotta salata over the top, then sprinkle on the Pecorino-Romano.
• Sprinkle the chile flakes on top, and top with the fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Cut each half into 8 slices. Serve immediately.

AWESOME ITALIAN BRAIDED PIZZA

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Gather and prep your ingredients.
• 3. Add the Italian sausage to a skillet, over medium heat.
• 4. Cook until browned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• 5. Remove from skillet and thoroughly drain on paper towels.
• 6. Chef's Note: Make sure that the sausage is completely drained.
• 7. Chef's Tip: To remove as much grease from the pepperoni as possible, I place them on a paper towel and put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds. The paper towel will absorb most of the oil.
• 8. Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c)
• 9. Add a piece of parchment paper to a large baking sheet, and lightly dust with some flour.
• 10. Roll out your pizza-crust dough to a 10 by 15 inch (25 by 40cm) rectangle.
• 11. Chef's Note: I use my own homemade pizza crust, but choose your favorite dough and go for it.
• 12. Cut slices into the pizza crust about 1 inch thick by three inches deep.
• 13. Lay the ham on the bottom of the pizza crust.
• 14. Add the Italian sausage.
• 15. Add the pizza sauce in a layer on top of the sausage.
• 16. Add some pepperoni.
• 17. Add a layer of cheese.
• 18. Braid the dish by placing one of the cut pieces over and on top of the other.
• 19. This is what the completed braided pizza should look like.
• 20. Brush the top of the braid with some oil, and sprinkle on a few herbs of your choice.
• 21. Add some cheese and pepperoni to the top of the braid.
• 22. Place the braided pizza into the preheated oven.
• 23. Allow to bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
• 24. Plate/Present
• 25. Cut into thick slices and serve while still nice and warm. Enjoy.
• 26. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

PEPPERONI PIZZA LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. On a greased baking sheet, roll out dough into a 15x10-in. rectangle. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, oil, parsley, oregano, garlic powder and pepper. Brush over the dough. , Sprinkle with the pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, pepper rings, green pepper and olives. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal and tuck ends under., Position loaf with seam side down; brush with egg whites. Do not let rise. Bake until golden brown and dough is cooked through, 35-40 minutes. Warm the pizza sauce; serve with sliced loaf., Freeze option: Freeze cooled unsliced pizza loaf in heavy-duty foil. To use, remove from freezer 30 minutes before reheating. Remove from foil and reheat loaf on a greased baking sheet in a preheated 325° oven until heated through. Serve as directed.

BRAIDED STUFFED PIZZA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on cookie sheet, forming 14x11-inch rectangle.
• Spread garlic and herb cheese lengthwise down center 1/3 of rectangle to within 1/2 inch of short ends. Top with Canadian bacon, pepperoni, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• With scissors or sharp knife, make cuts 1 inch apart on long sides of dough to within 1/2 inch of filling. Alternately cross strips over filling. Fold ends under to seal.
• In small bowl, mix egg yolk and water until well blended. Brush over dough; sprinkle with poppy seed.
• Bake 11 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into crosswise slices. Serve with pizza sauce.

BRAIDED PIZZA LOAF

Steps:

• Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Cool completely. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 15x12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased baking sheet. Spread filling lengthwise down center third of rectangle. Sprinkle cheeses over filling. , On each long side, cut 1-1/2-in.-wide strips about 2-1/2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Brush with butter. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

CLASSIC ITALIAN PIZZA

Steps:

• To make the dough, mix the yeast with the warm water, sugar and oil and leave for 1-2 minutes. Add the flours into a mixing bowl with 1/2 tsp salt and briefly mix before making a well ready for the liquids. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir into the flour using a fork, until the mixture comes together and can be finished off by hand. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes on a floured surface, then place in a clean, lightly oiled mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has risen to double its size.
• Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce by blending all of the ingredients together.
• Preheat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan, gas mark 9). Place the dough back onto a floured surface and knead for another minute to knock the air out. Any dough not used immediately can be refrigerated for up to 2 days - allowing to stand for 2 hours before making the pizzas.
• Roll out the dough and place on a large baking tray. Spread the tomato base over the pizza before topping with the blue cheese and mozzarella, then the mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.
• Cook in the hot oven for around 15 minutes or until the dough is crisp around the edges. Top with the parmesan and a good grating of pepper and serve.