Recipe: Modena-Emilia Romagna Pizza

Introduction

Ingredients

Pizza Dough

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

Toppings

• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup sliced fresh tomatoes
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• ½ cup sliced prosciutto
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

Pizza Dough

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Assembling the Pizza

1. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
2. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions.
3. On a floured surface, roll out each portion of dough into a round shape, about 12 inches in diameter.
4. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto a pizza peel or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Spoon half of the tomato sauce onto each pizza dough and spread it evenly, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each pizza.
7. Top the pizzas with sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, black olives, and prosciutto.
8. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the toppings.

Baking and Serving

1. If using a pizza stone, carefully transfer one pizza onto the preheated stone in the oven. If using a baking sheet, place it directly in the oven.
2. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
3. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
4. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.

Conclusion

Enjoy the delicious flavors of Modena-Emilia Romagna Pizza with its crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and a variety of toppings. This recipe is a true representation of the culinary traditions of the region, and it is sure to satisfy your pizza cravings.