Italian Bread Creamy Pesto Pepperoni Pizza Food

ITALIAN BREAD CREAMY PESTO PEPPERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• Place one oven rack in upper-third of the oven, and the second oven rack on the lower third.
• Heat oven to 450°F (regular or convection air-bake).
• Half each loaf lengthwise, then crosswise to make 8 pizza crusts.
• In a bowl combine ricotta, pesto, Parmesan, salt and pepper.
• Spread on the bread crusts.
• Sprinkle the olives on top of the ricotta.
• Top with pepperoni slices.
• Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Place 4 pizzas on one baking sheet and the other 4 on another baking sheet.
• Place on sheet on one rack and the other on the other rack.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes (the cheese should be well melted).
• Cool for about 5 minutes.

HOT ITALIAN PESTO BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the pesto on to 1 side of the sliced bread and spread the garlic cloves onto the other side. Place the halves together to close. Place in oven for 15 minutes.
• Slice and serve.

ITALIAN BREAD BAKED ON A PIZZA STONE

Steps:

• Place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
• Place pizza stone in oven and preheat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Oven must be preheated at least 30 minutes before baking.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form dough into two loaves. Place the loaves seam side down on a cutting board generously sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
• In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture. Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife. Gently shake the cutting board to make sure that the loaves are not sticking. If they stick, use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen. Slide the loaves onto the pizza stone with one quick but careful motion.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

FRENCH BREAD PIZZAS WITH MOZZARELLA AND PEPPERONI

Steps:

• Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 425°F. Place bread, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven and rub cut sides with garlic.
• Spread tomato sauce on cut sides of bread. Top with mozzarella, pepperoni, and red-pepper flakes, if using.
• Bake until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Top with basil.

ITALIAN PIZZA BREAD

Steps:

• Slice roll in half lengthwise. Place on baking sheet. Spread pizza sauce over each half. Top with pepperoni. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. , Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until heated through. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 2 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

PESTO PIZZA BREAD

Steps:

• For Sauce.
• Combine first 6 ingredients in processor or blender and puree, stopping machine as necessary to scrape down sides of container; pour into bowl.
• Stir in cheeses, cover and refrigerate.
• (Flavor is better if cheeses are grated and added just before using.).
• For Bread.
• Grease two 14-inch pizza pans or heavy bottomed baking sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal.
• Oil large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Pour 2/3 cup warm water into another large bowl.
• Add yeast and sugar and stir until disolved.
• Let mixture stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in remaining water with olive oil and salt.
• Mix in about 5 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well with wooden spoon after each addition, until dough comes away from sides of bowl.
• Sprinkle work surface with 1/2 cup remaining flour.
• Turn dough out onto surface and knead until dough is smooth, shiny and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer dough to oiled bowl, turning to coat all surfaces.
• Cover with towel and let stand in warm draft-free area until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch dough down, turn out onto floured surface and knead briefly into ball.
• Return to bowl, cover with towel and let stand in warm, draft-free area until doubled again, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch dough down;.turn out onto lightly floured surface.
• Divide dough in half;roll or pat each half into 14-inch circle.
• Transfer to prepared pans.
• Pinch up edges of dough to form shallow rim.
• Brush twice with egg mixture.
• Divide Pesto Sauce evenly between crusts.
• Let stand in warm, draft-free area for approximately 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Bake until crusts are golden brown,about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into wedges.
• Bread may be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for several hours after baking and cooling. To reheat, sprinkle with a little water, wrap in foil and warm in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.
• For variations,arrange slices of Fontina, Bel Paese, mozarella or provalone cheese over Pesto Sauce before baking.

ITALIAN PARTY BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Place pizza dough on a floured surface and roll into a rectangular shape between 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch thick, letting dough relax occasionally if it keeps springing back. Spread pesto on top, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edge. Top evenly with provolone cheese, prosciutto, and peppers.
• Roll up tightly in the direction that gives you the most length, ending with the seam on the bottom. Press down to flatten slightly and dust the top lightly with flour. Use a pizza wheel to cut dough lengthwise into 3 long, even strips using a pizza wheel.
• Place strips next to each other but not touching, the middle strip cut-side up and the other two cut-sides facing in. Braid them together, then curl the ends in to form a round wreath shape, tucking any loose ends under the loaf. Transfer onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.

ITALIAN-STYLE PIZZAS

Steps:

• Place crusts on an ungreased baking sheet; spread with pesto. Layer with mozzarella cheese, onion, mushrooms and peppers; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 400° until cheese is melted, 10-12 minutes.