Pepperoni Pizza

Pizza   - the Italian way of pronouncing is pittsa is an oven-baked, flat, round bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings. The modern pizza was invented in Naples, Italy, and the dish has since become popular in many parts of the world. The main ingredient in a Pizza is cheese. The original pizza use only mozzarella. Other kind of cheese can be also be used. Toppings for pizza, well myriad toppings are used on pizzas, like Anchovies, Ham, Mushrooms, Olives, Onions, Pepperoni, etc., The recipe below is for Pepperoni Pizza my kids all time favorite... ENJOY !

Personal Pepperoni Pizzas

Ingredients

For the Dough

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 teaspoon salt

1- 1 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for coating the bowl and pans

For Topping

6-7 pepperoni slices

4-5 olives

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

 Basil leaves, for garnish

For the Sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, diced

1 bell pepper ( I used a mix of red/green and yellow peppers)

1 tablespoon mushrooms finely chopped

1 tsp Basil Leaves

3-4 tomatoes - pureed

Method for Dough

In a food processor combine the flours, yeast and salt. With the processer running, pour in 1 cup of the water and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and process until the mixture forms a ball. If the dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is slightly sticky to the touch.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Add a splash of olive oil to a large bowl and turn the dough in it to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until the dough doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours.

Meanwhile make the sauce:

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the bottom of a heavy pan over medium heat.

Add the onion and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. 

Add the bell peppers, mushrooms and let cook for 2-3 minutes

Add the tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes. Add chopped basil leaves

Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

For the Pizza

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

When the dough is ready, cut it into 4 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.

Set the dough balls on a floured surface and cover with a kitchen towel until slightly puffed, about 20 minutes.

With a rolling pin, roll each dough ball to 1/4-inch thickness.

Arrange crusts on lightly oiled baking sheets.

Spread 1/4 - 1/2 cup of the sauce over each crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border free of sauce.

Sprinkle 1/4 of the shredded cheese over the sauce on each crust,

Arrange the pepperoni, top with some black olives and some more mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown.

Garnish with fresh basil.