Gourmet White Pizza Food

WHITE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat a pizza stone if you use one along with the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Stretch dough to form a pie and transfer to stone or pizza baking tray. Pierce the dough with the tines of a fork in several places. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil around the crust. Mix the ricotta cheese with garlic and parsley and season it with salt and black pepper. Spread the ricotta across the dough. Top the pizza with mozzarella or provolone. Bake until crispy, 20 minutes. Top the white pizza pie with the shredded basil leaves, cut and serve.

GREAT WHITE PIZZA

Steps:

• For the dough: In an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, dissolve the yeast in the water until there are no pieces of yeast left. Add the flour and start mixing on low. After the flour and water have started to mix, add the salt. Let mix for another minute until all of the flour from the sides of the bowl have been incorporated. If the dough is sticking to the side of the bowl, add flour slowly until it starts to firm up around the dough hook. Add the olive oil and mix for another 5 minutes.
• Let the dough rest in the bowl, covered, for 10 minutes. In the meantime, spray a baking sheet or aluminum pan with cooking spray. After the dough is done resting, empty it onto a lightly floured prep surface. Weigh the dough out into three 10-ounce portions. In your hands, fold the dough into itself, tightening the dough and removing air pockets with each fold. Add flour to your hands if the dough is too sticky. When the dough is tight enough to hold its shape, put it on to the greased baking sheet and spray the top with a little of the cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let proof at room temperature for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The dough should at least double in size. You can also proof in the fridge overnight and leave it out 30 minutes before you are ready to use it the next day.
• For the garlic ricotta: While the dough is proofing, make the roasted garlic ricotta, sliced zucchini and charred red onions. (Start roasting the garlic right away as it will take the most time.)
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut off the tops of the heads of garlic. Drizzle the olive oil over the tops of the garlic, wrap in aluminum foil and roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Once tender, remove from the oven and let cool. In a stainless bowl, squeeze out the roasted garlic. Add a splash of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Using a spatula, smooth the garlic into a paste in the bowl. Add the ricotta and fold in the garlic until it is completely incorporated.
• For the charred red onions: Turn the oven temperature up to 500 degrees F. Cut the ends off the onions, and peel off the tough outer layer. Cut in half lengthwise and thinly slice. Toss in olive oil and cook on a baking sheet in the oven of 15 to 20 minutes until you see a good bit of charred pieces. Cool.
• For the zucchini: While the onions cook, cut the ends off of the zucchini and squash and thinly slice on a bias. Toss in a metal bowl with the olive oil, pepper flakes, lemon zest and salt and pepper.
• To assemble the pizza: Leave the oven temperature at 500 degrees F, and lightly flour a smooth work surface. Take out one of the dough balls. Starting at the edges, gently press down on the dough, being careful not to pull at it. Continue pressing the edges and work towards the center, keeping the dough round. Make sure to flour both sides at least twice during this process. Once you've stretched the dough to about 14 inches, move it onto a round aluminum pizza pan or a wooden peel if you plan on sliding it on to a pizza stone.
• Start assembling the pie by spreading the ricotta mixture all over the base. Place several slices of fresh mozzarella evenly over the crust. Next, add the cut zucchini and squash and charred red onions. Drizzle with olive oil and place in the oven on the aluminum pan or if using a pizza stone, slide on from the wooden peel. Let bake for about 10 minutes, then slide the pizza right onto the oven rack and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

TRADITIONAL WHITE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F and, if you have one, place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven.
• Place the rolled out pizza dough onto a pizza peel or the back of a cookie sheet, dusted with cornmeal and using flour, as necessary, to help facilitate moving the dough. Sprinkle the pizza with the cheeses, oregano, salt and pepper. Bake the pizza for 10 to 12 minutes, use the peel to turn the pizza around and back an additional, 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the pizza is golden. Sprinkle the cheese and olive oil over the pizza and serve immediately.
• In a large bowl combine yeast with water and sugar and stir well to combine. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the salt, olive oil, and half of the flour and mix well to thoroughly combine. Add all remaining flour except 1/2 cup and mix well with your hands, working to incorporate the flour little by little. The dough should be slightly sticky to the touch. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead dough for at least 5 and up to 7 minutes, adding enough additional flour, as necessary, to form a smooth and elastic dough that is not sticky. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled 2 or 3 quart bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, usually at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F and if you have one, place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven.
• Divide dough into 2 portions for 2 (12 to 14-inch) pizzas) and form into balls. (See note below for calzones.) Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Let rest for 15 minutes, then transfer to a lightly floured surface, shape as desired and roll out to a 1/8-inch thickness. Transfer dough to a pizza peel (sprinkle with cornmeal to help facilitate moving dough) and top with toppings of choice. Transfer to the preheated pizza stone and bake until crispy and golden brown, usually 12 to 18 minutes (depending on the toppings and the thickness of the crust). Remove from the oven with a metal peel or spatula and serve immediately.
• Yield: 2 (12 or 14-inch) pizzas or 4 calzones, serving 4 to 6

EASY WHITE PIZZA

Steps:

• Special equipment: 14-inch round pizza pan
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third of the oven.
• Brush the pizza pan with oil. On a work surface, using your hands, press the pizza dough into a large flat disk and transfer it to the greased pan. Using your fingers, press the dough out until it has stretched to the perimeter of the pan. Create a dough "lip" around the outer edges of the pan. Brush the entire surface of the dough lightly with garlic oil and pierce the bottom of the crust all over with a fork, to prevent bubbling.
• Evenly spread the mozzarella over the crust. Using 2 spoons, dollop teaspoon-sized mounds of ricotta evenly over the mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and evenly sprinkle the chopped oregano over the top.
• Bake in the lower third of the oven until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and browning on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes before garnishing with additional oregano and slicing into 8 pieces.
• Cook's Note: Try buying fresh pizza dough from your local pizzeria; just be sure to let it sit out at room temperature for a few minutes, as warmer dough is easier to work with.

WHITE PIZZAS WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• Mix the dough: Combine the water, yeast, honey and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. When the yeast is dissolved, add 3 cups of flour, then 2 teaspoons salt, and mix on medium-low speed. While mixing, add up to 1 more cup of flour, or just enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth, sprinkling it with the flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to the bowl.
• Knead by hand: When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured board and knead it by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic.
• Let it rise: Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Make garlic oil: Place 1/2 cup of olive oil, the garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook for 10 minutes, making sure the garlic doesn't burn. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. (Be sure your oven is clean!)
• Portion the dough: Dump the dough onto a board and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Place the doughs on sheet pans lined with parchment paper and cover them with a damp towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
• Stretch the dough: Press and stretch each ball into an 8-inch circle and place 2 circles on each sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (If you've chilled the dough, take it out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes ahead to let it come to room temperature.)
• Top the dough: Brush the pizzas with the garlic oil, and sprinkle each one liberally with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the pizzas evenly with fontina, mozzarella and goat cheese. Drizzle each pizza with 1 tablespoon more of the garlic oil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the crusts are crisp and the cheeses begin to brown.
• Make the vinaigrette: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup of olive oil, the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Add the greens: When the pizzas are done, place the arugula in a large bowl and toss with just enough lemon vinaigrette to moisten. Place a large bunch of arugula on each pizza and a slice of lemon and serve immediately.

GOURMET WHITE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, mix together the butter, olive oil, garlic, pesto, basil, oregano, Parmesan cheese and Alfredo sauce. Arrange the chicken on top of the pizza crust. Pour the Alfredo sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Top with tomato and feta cheese.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crust is lightly browned and toppings are toasted. Cut into wedges to serve.