Pizette Food

PIZZETTE - MINI PIZZA BITES WITH ASSORTED TOPPINGS

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water with sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
• In a mixer bowl add flour and yeast water, give a quick stir.
• Using a dough hook attachment start to knead slowly increasing the speed.
• Add salt and extra virgin olive oil.
• NOTE: Don't add salt immediately as it'll weaken yeast quality!
• Knead for about 5 minutes.You should get a smoth and pretty soft dough. It'll be slightly sticky but manageable to handle it with your hands.
• Transfer the dough in large oiled bowl. Cover with a plastic wrap and let rise for 2-3 hours in a warm (not hot!) place.
• Past 2-3 hours the dough should double in size.
• Transfer it to a slightly floured work surface.
• Roll with a rolling pin to about 3-5 mm thick.
• Using a round cookie cutter about 3 inches in diameter cut out pizzette circles.
• Place pizzette on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper leaving some space in between.
• Cover with a linen towel and let rise for 30-60 minutes in a warm place.
• While pizzette are rising it's a good idea to prepare the sauce and the toppings.
• In a skillet pan add tomato puree/passata di pomodoro, let simmer on low heat until slightly reduced. The thickness of the sauce should be good enough to stay on pizzetta, not too liquid-y but also not paste-like.
• Add fresh basil leaved roughly torn with your hands.
• Cook for another few minutes and let cool.
• Cut, slice and pit all other ingredients that you've chosen as your pizza toppings.Here you can mix, match and be creative!
• Preheat oven to 375F / 190C
• Using your point finger press around and in the center of each pizzetta (see photo) to form a slight cavity to hold in the topping.
• Top with your favorite toppings.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until cheese is well melted and pizzette have a light golden edge. Be careful and don't overcook as the dough might become hard.

PIZZETTE WITH FONTINA, TOMATO, BASIL, AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F. Lightly sprinkle rimmed baking sheet with flour. Roll out pizza dough on lightly floured surface 1/4-inch thick. Using 2 1/2-inch diameter cookie cutter, cut 16 dough rounds. Arrange rounds on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle rounds with Fontina cheese, dividing equally. Place 2 tomato quarters on each round, pressing gently into dough. Sprinkle tomatoes with Parmesan cheese. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Bake pizzette until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Drizzle pizzette with olive oil, then sprinkle with basil and lightly with salt and pepper. Drape prosciutto strips over. Arrange on platter and serve immediately.

PIZETTE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over warm water in a small bowl.
• Let stand until dissolved.
• Beat the eggs and butter at high speed until blended.
• Add the yeast, 3 cups of the flour and the salt.
• Mix until incorporated.
• Continue mixing the dough, adding small amounts of flour, until it forms a stiff dough.
• Turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead, ading flour as necessary, until smooth and elastic.
• Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature with making the filling.
• In a large bowl beat the egg until foamy.
• Add the ricotta and parmesan and mix well.
• Stir in the mozzarella and salami.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8" thick.
• Cut 3" circles from the dough and place 1 tablespoon filling on each circle.
• Moisten the edges of the pastry and fold over to make half-moon shaped pockets.
• Press or crimp the edges of the pastry to seal.
• Place the pizettes, as they are made, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Cover the completed bundles with a clean towel and set aside until slightly puffed, about 20 minutes.
• While pizettes are rising, heat the vegetable oil to a full 350 degrees.
• Gently place a few bundles at a time in the hot oil.
• Do not overcrowd the pizette as they will not brown properly.
• Fry, turning regularly, for about 4 minutes, until golden brown and all side.
• Remove and drain on paper towels.

CHEESE PIZZETTES

Steps:

• Mix the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan together in a medium bowl, then set aside. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to 1/4-inch thick. Using a 2 3/4-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out dough rounds.
• Add enough oil to a heavy large frying pan with 3-inch sides to come halfway up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Drop a scrap of dough into the oil to ensure the oil is hot enough. If the dough sizzles, then the oil is hot enough. Working in batches, add the dough rounds to the hot oil (being sure not to crowd them in the pan) and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the rounds to paper towels to drain the excess oil. Immediately sprinkle the cheese mixture over the hot pizzas. Serve warm.

SMOKED SALMON PIZZETTES

Steps:

• Special equipment: a 2-inch round cookie cutter
• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll the pizza dough into a 1/4-inch thick round. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 15 circles. Arrange the circles on a heavy baking sheet. Using the tines of a fork, prick the dough all over. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the mascarpone cheese, sour cream and capers until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the mascarpone mixture into the center of each pastry round. Top with a piece of smoked salmon and press gently.
• Arrange the pizzettes on a platter and sprinkle with chopped chives just before serving.

PIZZETTE WITH GORGONZOLA, TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Roll out the pizza dough to 1/4-inch thick. Using a 2 to 2 1/2-inch diameter cookie cutter, cut out 18 circles from the dough. Arrange the circles on a heavy large baking sheet. Sprinkle the Gorgonzola cheese over the circles. Top with the tomatoes, pressing them gently into the dough. Bake until the pizzettes are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Drizzle the pizzettes with oil. Sprinkle the basil over the pizzettes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange the pizzettes on a platter and serve immediately.

PIZZETTES WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS, GOAT CHEESE, AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet, heat the oil over low heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, herbs de Provence, and sugar. Stir to combine. Continue cooking over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and dark golden brown, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Roll out the pizza dough into a 1/4-inch-thick round. Using the cookie cutter, cut out 24 dough circles. Arrange the circles on a large heavy baking sheet. Place a small spoonful of the caramelized onions on each dough circle. Top with a small amount of goat cheese. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
• While still hot, top each pizzette with a piece of prosciutto. Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with sprigs of parsley or rosemary. Serve immediately.

PIZZETTES (MINI PIZZAS) FROM GIADA DE LAURENTIIS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet, heat the oil over low heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, herbs de Provence, and sugar. Stir to combine. Continue cooking over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and dark golden brown, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Roll out the pizza dough into a 1/4-inch-thick round. Using the cookie cutter, cut out 24 dough circles. Arrange the circles on a large heavy baking sheet.
• Place a small spoonful of the caramelized onions on each dough circle. Top with a small amount of goat cheese.
• Bake until golden and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
• While still hot, top each pizzette with a piece of prosciutto. Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with sprigs of parsley or rosemary. Serve immediately.