Pizza Al Formaggio Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare the dough: Whisk 1 cup warm water (about 105 degrees F) and the sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle the yeast over top. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in olive oil. Whisk the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center, pour in the yeast mixture and stir to make a shaggy dough. Place dough on a floured surface and knead about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic, adding just enough flour to prevent it from sticking. Form into a ball, place in a large oiled bowl, turning to coat with the oil. Turn seam-side down and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature about 1 hour, 30 minutes, until doubled in size. Position oven rack to top shelf, along with a pizza stone or baking sheet. Preheat to 450 degrees F. Prepare sausage in a large skillet. Remove and drain the fat. Sprinkle working surface and rolling pin with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Knead dough for a few seconds to begin shaping it into a ball. Using rolling pin, roll the dough out to a circle that is approximately 10" in diameter. Finish stretching using your hands. The dough should be thin. Remove baking sheet or pizza stone from the oven and sprinkle it with cornmeal. Carefully place the pizza dough on the stone or baking sheet and quickly sprinkle with Ricotta Cheese. Scatter the Mozzarella and Gorgonzola pieces, along with the sausage, and finally, top with Parmesan Cheese. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh herb, cut and enjoy! *Always cook sausage to internal temperature of 160 degrees F

Steps:

• Place yeast in a small bowl, add 1/2 cup warm water, mix well and add 1 cup flour. Mix briefly to make a rough dough. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise 1 hour, until doubled.
• Beat 2 eggs in a small bowl. Mix in 4 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano, all the pecorino and the pepper. Place remaining 2 cups flour in a large bowl, whisk in salt and make a well in the center. Add 2 tablespoons oil and work oil into flour with your fingertips until mixture is crumbly. Add risen yeast mixture, the egg mixture and 1/2 cup warm water. Knead briefly to make a sticky dough.
• Turn dough out onto floured work surface and knead about 2 minutes, adding flour sparingly as needed to make a soft dough. Cover with an inverted bowl for 15 minutes. Knead another 2 to 3 minutes until dough is soft and elastic. Stretch dough into a rectangle about 10 by 15 inches. Scatter diced cheeses evenly over surface. Fold one-third of dough, from the long side, over the cheese, then fold again to make a long, narrow envelope. Fold short ends over in thirds to make a square. Shape gently into a ball.
• Use a 7-inch-deep panettone mold, a 9-inch baking pan or an oven-proof paper panettone mold. Grease metal pan, but not paper mold, if using, with remaining oil. Fit ball of dough into pan, lightly pressing it to fill pan. Cover loosely with paper towel and set aside to rise until doubled and somewhat above edge of pan, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water and brush on dough. Sprinkle with remaining grated cheese, placing it in a cross shape if desired. Bake 20 minutes (paper mold should be placed on a baking sheet). Lower heat to 350 degrees and bake 30 to 35 minutes more, until golden. Remove from pan, but not from paper mold, and let cool on a rack at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cheese flavor will become more pronounced if bread is kept wrapped for 6 or more hours or overnight.