Thin Crust Boursin And Prosciutto Pizza Food

PROSCIUTTO PIZZA WITH CAULIFLOWER CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat a pizza stone or clean baking sheet in an oven to 475 degrees F.
• Add the cauliflower to a food processor and pulse until finely ground and the consistency of couscous; you should have about 4 cups.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl. Add the Asiago, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few turns of black pepper and combine until the mixture holds together when pinched. Pour onto a clean kitchen towel and wring out as much moisture as you can.
• Line a pizza peel, flat cutting board or cookie sheet with parchment and brush with some oil. Spread the cauliflower mixture into a 12-inch circle. Slide the parchment onto the preheated pizza stone and bake until barely golden and darker at the edges, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the crust from the oven, sprinkle with the mozzarella and spread the marinara over the top (this keeps the crust from becoming soggy and the cheese from sliding). Scatter the prosciutto across the top and sprinkle with a good pinch of crushed red pepper. Slide back onto the pizza stone and bake until bubbly with browned spots, about 4 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the basil just before serving.

THIN PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in hot water.
• Let sit for 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile mix flour and salt.
• Pour yeast mixture over flour mixture and mix well with a heavy spoon.
• Turn onto floured surface and knead for 2 minutes.
• Spread into a 12-14" circle.
• (I do this directly onto a pizza stone with a marble rolling pin).
• If you roll it out on a counter top, transfer to a greased pizza pan, stretching to edges.
• Cover with sauce and desired topping.
• Bake at 500 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until edges are golden.

THIN-CRUST PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in hot water in a bowl. Let stand until yeast forms a creamy foam, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Mix 1 3/4 cup flour and salt in a large bowl. Pour in yeast mixture; mix well until dough comes together.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth, adding remaining 1/4 cup flour if dough is too sticky, about 2 minutes. Roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a greased pizza pan.

THIN-CRUST BOURSIN AND PROSCIUTTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Combine 1 cup bread flour, cake flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add water and mix until well blended, about 1 minute. Add additional flour, if needed, to form a soft dough.
• Knead on a floured surface, adding additional flour if necessary, until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Place dough back in mixing bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature for 1 to 3 hours. (Tips to Kneading Dough: To knead the dough, add just enough flour to the dough and your hands to keep the dough from sticking. Flatten dough and fold it toward you. Using the heels of your hands, push the dough away with a rolling motion. Rotate dough a quarter turn and repeat the "fold, push and turn" steps. Keep kneading the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Use a little more flour if dough becomes too sticky, always working the flour into the ball of the dough.).
• Place a pizza stone on the lowest oven rack. Preheat oven to 550°F, or as high as your oven setting allows. If your oven has a convection setting, this is a good time to use it.
• Punch dough down. Divide into 8 equal pieces; keep covered.
• Roll each piece into a very thin (1/16-inch) circle on a floured surface. The shape doesn't have to be perfect! To achieve a very thin crust, try these tips: roll dough until very thin. Now, carefully pick up the thin dough and turn it over - roll again. Use a bench knife to help you get the dough off the surface for turning. Use as much flour as needed to make sure the dough is not sticky. Frequently flour rolling pin. Once the dough is rolled as thin as possible, it is ready to be baked.
• Place crust on a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel, flat baking sheet or the back side of a jelly roll pan or pizza pan. Make sure that the crust moves freely (doesn't stick to the pan). If it is sticking to the pan, gently lift dough and add a little more cornmeal. Use a fork to "dock" or make lots of little holes in the crust, about 1/2-inch apart. This prevents the crust from puffing up during baking.
• To bake, slide the crust off the pizza peel or baking sheet onto the preheated stone in the oven. Use a long-handled spatula to help transfer the crust if needed. Close the oven door as quickly as possible to keep the oven hot. Bake 2 to 5 minutes or until crust has browned patches.
• When done, remove crust from the oven with a spatula and place on wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough portions.
• Use a minimal amount of topping to keep the crust crisp and for ease in handling. Spread a thin layer of boursin cheese on each crust. Top with prosciutto and sprinkle with green onions. Return to oven for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Most stones will accommodate baking 2 pizzas at once. Remove finished pizza from oven to cutting board. Cut into pieces and serve.
• Allow the oven to cool before removing the pizza stone and follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning. Excess cornmeal tends to burn so be sure and use your exhaust fan.

THIN-CRUST PIZZA WITH ROASTED MUSHROOMS AND SMOKED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a nonstick baking sheet with foil.
• Place tomatoes and mushrooms on the prepared baking sheet; drizzle with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature, about 25 minutes. Leave oven on.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, reduce heat to medium, and caramelize until golden brown and soft, turning occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar; set aside to cool.
• Cook bacon on a paper towel-lined, microwave-safe plate on high heat at 1 to 2 minutes intervals until almost crisp. Coarsely chop.
• Brush sides of the pizza crust with a thin layer of olive oil and place on a pizza pan. Spread Alfredo sauce evenly in a thin layer around the crust, leaving about 1/2 inch crust showing around the edge. Sprinkle with Fontina cheese. Spoon tomato-mushroom mixture over top, then caramelized onions. Sprinkle bacon and Gorgonzola crumbles over the vegetables.
• Return to the oven and bake until the top is bubbly and starting to turn golden and the edges are golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.