Pizza Skopelitti Alla Romano Food

EASY PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the warm water into a small mixing bowl or a standard 2 cup measure, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and let stand until the yeast softens, 3 to 5 minutes. Mix slightly to dissolve yeast and allow it to proof for another 15 minutes in a warm spot in the kitchen. Add the room temperature water and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Measure the flour and the salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Combine on very low speed with the paddle attachment. Slowly add the liquid ingredients to the dry, and increase the speed of the mixer slightly to incorporate the mass. Stop the mixer and replace the paddle with a dough hook if you have one. Knead until the dough becomes smooth and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl, about 4 minutes. Place the dough on a floured board and knead the dough by hand for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour to dust as needed to prevent sticking. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a very lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean towel, let stand until dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
• When the dough has doubled in bulk, divide it into 6 equal pieces (about 6 ounces each). Set the pieces of dough being used on a sheet pan and cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap. (Dough not being used can be placed in the refrigerator or frozen until ready to use.) With a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough as evenly as possible into a 10-inch circle, dusting lightly with flour, as necessary.
• Cover with toppings and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

TOMATO PATTIES: DOMATOKEFTEDES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the tomatoes in a medium bowl. Drizzle with 2 ounces oil and season with salt and pepper. Place seed side down on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake until the skins wrinkle and the tomatoes are soft, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and cool. Peel the skins from the tomatoes and place in a colander over a bowl, to drain for about 20 minutes, occasionally pressing them to release juice. Reserve tomato juice for a later dish.
• Heat 1-ounce of oil in a saute pan over high heat. Add in the onions and cook until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add in garlic and chiles and cook for 1 minute. Remove and cool.
• In a medium bowl, combine the roasted tomatoes, parsley, scallions, oregano, and basil with the onion mixture. Add in the flour and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Add more bread crumbs, if needed. Add sugar if tomato mix is acidic. Shape mixture into 2-ounce patties.
• Heat the remaining oil in a medium skillet over high heat to reach 375 degrees F. Turn heat to medium-high heat and place the patties into the skillet in small batches. Cook on both sides until golden brown. Add more oil as needed. Remove patties and drain on paper towels. Season with salt while warm.

PIZZA FROM NAPLES: PIZZA ALLA NEAPOLETANA

Steps:

• Preheat oven 450 degrees F.
• Dissolve yeast in water. Pour flour into a mound onto the counter. Add dissolved yeast, salt, and olive oil to center. Work in flour from outside into liquid with fork until it resembles a dough. Work in rest of flour by hand. Leave 1 tablespoon flour unincorporated. Place dough in bowl. Sprinkle with leftover flour. Cover with dishtowel. Let rest for about 1 hour at room temperature, until double in size.
• Pass tomatoes through food mill using smallest holes into small bowl. Set aside.
• When dough is ready, place heavy aluminum foil on a pizza board. Oil it with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread dough on foil, using fingertips to about 16 inches by 14 inches. Spread on pureed tomatoes. Sprinkle on mozzarella. Distribute anchovies and capers. Add salt, pepper, and oregano. Drizzle on remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Bake on middle shelf for 35 minutes or until crisp. Remove. Slice and serve.