PIZZA BITES - GOOD & DISASTER WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT ???

If you scroll down and see the pictures you get to see the Disaster Pizza Bites :)  those are disaster pizza bites :(  Since they are small bite size pieces I named it as "Pizza Bites" .  Even though they are disaster one's they came out Super crispy and Super yummy :):)  

I have already posted few Pizza recipes in my space, take a look at them
Thin crust Pizza with Marinara sauce
Pizza in a cup and thick crust pizza with pesto and yummy toppings

But few changes while making the thick crust comes out super yummy and we are loving it a lot. 
1. I add less yeast and proof the dough for extra 1 hour.
2. Seasoning the crust with Spice and herbs.
 

 

Here is story of Disaster Pizza bites :)

I planned to make 2 pizzas for our Sunday Lunch.  I mixed the dough and divided them to 2 equal parts and kept them for rising in the oven (turned off).  Usually I keep few of my baking trays in the oven, ha ha I use my Oven for double purpose both for baking and storing the baking trays.  After couple of hours I took all the baking trays out and one of the dough for topping.  While I was making topping for one pizza, without realizing about the other dough I switched on the oven for preheating(preheated to 425F for nearly 20 minutes).  When I opened the oven to put the pizza for baking I got to see the other dough. When I saw the dough it already rised to 4 times bigger than the original one with a crusty bottomL.  I just don't want to waste it.  Bling !!! I made it to small pieces, topped with sauce, toppings and baked it.  To my surprise it came out very very yummy like Bruschetta and we enjoyed it a lot. 

The good thing that happened was I kept the dough in stainless steel bowl and wrapped them with the aluminum foil.  Can you imagine what would have happened, if I had used plastic bowl and cling wrap for covering the dough..............OMG I cannot imagine :(

I have already posted few Pizza recipes in my space; take a quick view of them

A.Thin crust Pizza with Marinara sauce

B.Pizza in a cup and thick crust pizza with pesto and yummy toppings.

The Pizza dough recipe which I am posting today is altered little bit to the recipe which I have posted earlier.  This recipe is a keeper.  Few changes while making the thick crust comes out super yummy and we love it a lot. 

1. I add less yeast and proof the dough for extra 1 hour.

2. Seasoning the crust with Spice and herbs.

PIZZA DOUGH (THICK CRUST)

Makes  2  Pizzas 10” inch  thick crust

Ingredients :

All purpose flour - 3 1/2 cup (you can also substitute with bread flour which has high gluten content . It gives nice chewy texture to the base)

Yeast - 1 pouch (2 1/4 tsp)

Salt - 1 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Extra virgin Olive oil - 3 tbsp + 1 tbsp(For brushing the dough)

Warm water - 1 1/3 cup

Garlic Powder – 1 tsp

Italian seasoning - 1 tsp

Red chilli flakes - 1/2 tsp

To make the dough :

1. Add the yeast to warm water and keep it aside for about 5 minutes. You will know its working if it bubbles and looks creamy. (Make sure the water is not hot)

2.In a bowl mix all the ingredients together. Stir the yeast water mixture using a spoon and now add to the flour mixture.

3.Make dough and knead it for 8 to 10 minutes until you get soft and smooth ball(knead it really well but fast).  If you have a mixer with a dough hook, knead the ingredients on low for about five minutes with the dough hook.

4. Now divide the dough to 2 equal parts and roll into a ball.

5. Place the dough balls into the oiled bowls.  Now brush the dough with little olive oil to avoid cracking or drying.

6. Close it with the lid or the plastic wrap and keep it in the warm place.  I usually keep them in the oven(turned off).

7.Let the dough rest for couple of hours.  (It has to be doubled in size)

8. Now preheat the oven to 425 degree Fahrenheit, while the oven is preheating, get ready for rolling and topping.

9. Sprinkle some flour onto the counter or board, take one ball and dust with little flour.  Using rolling pin  make 10 inch circle/disc or if you are using your hand use your finger tips to make a well defined edge. Use a press and stretch sort of technique.  Try to have the dough even all the way through without making it too thin in the middle.

10. Now brush rolled pizza dough with the Olive oil.

11. Top them with your favorite sauce and toppings.

12. Bake them in the lower rack for 20-25 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and cheese melts and becomes bubbly.

PIZZA SAUCE

Ingredients :

This sauce will be enough for two 10" thick crust pizza.

Tomato Pureed- 1 can (1 lb)

Mixed Italian herbs - 2 tsp ( oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary etc)

Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp

Sugar - 1/2 tbsp

Garlic - 2 pods very finely chopped

Onion - 2 tbsp very finely chopped

Crushed red chilli flakes - 2 tsp or according to spice level

Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Fresh Basil – few chopped finely

Salt

Method :

1. Heat oil in the pan, add the garlic and onion.  Saute till slight brown.

2. Now add the pureed tomato. Let it cook for some time until it becomes little thick.

3. Now add all other ingredients. Mix well and finish it with chopped fresh Basil.

4. Cool it and store in the air tight container.  Use when needed.

 

If you are using the Pizza stone follow this procedure :

1. Put the pizza stone in the lower rack of the oven and preheat them to 450F for 20 minutes or so. Now get ready for rolling and topping.

2. Sprinkle some flour onto the counter or board, take one ball and dust with little flour.  Using rolling pin  make 10 inch circle/disc or if you are using hand use your finger tips to make a well defined edge. Use a press and stretch sort of technique.  Try to have the dough even all the way through without making it too thin in the middle.

3. Place the rolled Pizza in the  pizza peel which is dusted with the flour or cornmeal.

4.Top your pizza with your favorite sauce and topping.

5.When the Pizza is ready with the topping, slide it on the pizza stone.

6.Bake it until the crust is golden brown and cheese are melted and bubbly.  It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to bake.

Cool, Slice and enjoy !!!

Topping I used for my Pizza :

1. Tomato (deseeded) - few

2. Chopped Onion - few

3. Chopped Bell peppers - few

4. Baby corn - few

5.Artichoke - few

6.Black olives - few

7. Basil - few while serving

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BASIC PIZZA (THIN CRUST)

Thin crust, Thick crust, Deep crust Pizza, Bread kind surely mine is always thin crust. With so much topping and bubbling cheese. Who won't love home made pizza ? Yah right this is one of my basic dough recipe for the pizza which I am following for few years and another one is same dough recipe which I posted for white bread, the only difference is while making Pizza you need  proof for the second time.   You can click here to view the Basic white Bread recipe. The recipe which I am giving now is good to make 15" size pizza if you are making thin crust , but if your choice is thick crust the size reduces by 2 inch.

BASIC PIZZA DOUGH

Ingredients :

All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cup ( u can use 3/4 cup bread flour + 3/4 all purpose flour too)

Active dry yeast - 1 tbsp

Warm water (110 degrees F) - 1/2 cup

Extra-virgin olive oil - 1 tbsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Honey - 1/2 tsp

Salt- 3/4 tsp

Yellow cornmeal for sprinkling the pizza peel

Pizza stone or round baking sheet

Method :

1. In a large bowl combine yeast with water, olive oil,sugar, honey and stir well to proof ( means the yeast gets activated). After 5 minutes

2.Add salt to the flour mix well.

3. Now add the flour to the yeast mixture and using fork mix well to form a ball.

4. Use the hands to make a dough , you need not knead so long.

5. Just cover the dough by applying little olive oil and cover using the moist muslin cloth or Kitchen towel.

6. Let it sit for 2 to 2 1/2 hrs so that the dough rises double the size.

7. Now dust the surface with All purpose flour and make the dough to disc shape using the rolling pin. Transfer to the round baking sheet.

8.Preheat oven to 450 degrees F(If you have a pizza stone place it on the bottom rack of the oven).

9. I usually bake the crust in preheated oven for about 5 minutes or until slightly browned.

10. Remove from the oven and spread your favorite sauce and toppings.

11. Spread with your favorite cheese, bake it again until toppings are bubbly and crust is nice golden brown. This may take at least 10 - 12 minutes.

If you are using Pizza stone :

1.Follow the above procedure till 9 then.

2.Transfer dough to a pizza peel and top with toppings of choice.

3.Transfer to the preheated pizza stone and bake until crispy and golden brown, usually 12 to 18 minutes (depending on the toppings).

4.Remove from the oven with a metal peel or spatula and serve immediately.

PIZZA SAUCE

Ingredients :

This sauce will good enough for two 15" pizza.

Tomato crushed - 1 tin ( 1 lb)

Mixed Italian herbs - 2 tsp ( oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary etc)

Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp

Garlic - 2 pod very finely chopped

Onion - 2 tbsp very finely chopped

Crushed red chilli flakes - 2 tsp or according to spice level

Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Salt

Method :

1. Heat oil in the pan , add the garlic, onion saute till slight brown.

2. Now add the crushed tomato.

3. Add all other ingredients and let it cook until all the moisture are absorbed.

4. Now put in the blender or soup blender and whip it slightly, don't make it smooth, it has to be chunky.

5. Store in air tight container.

My favorite topping :

Black and Green olives

White onion

Green bell pepper

Artichoke pickled

Tomato deseeded

Mushrooms

Mozzarella cheese

Basil leaves.

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