This week’s episode landed on Mother’s Day, so Lindsay, brunching with mom, did not have her usual day and a half to prepare dinner. So, she decided to make something simple: pizza. But the result—homemade dough, delicious red sauce, fresh toppings—was a sophisticated twist on an otherwise uncomplicated dish.
The show turned out to be pretty exciting too: asbestos dumping, peyote (who knew the mafia was down with hallucinogens?), and suffocation. Things are not looking so simple after all.
Episode Six Menu
Pizza Rosso
Pizza Dough
Use this dough for both pizzas.
1-1/3 cups hot water
One packet of yeast
1 tablespoon sea salt, more for topping
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
3-1/2 cups flour
Directions:
Dissolve yeast and sugar in hot water for five minutes. Add salt. Add flour and mix well. Knead for about five minutes and let rise until doubled, about two hours. Punch down and roll thin on a round pizza sheet. Brush twice with olive oil and bake for about five minutes before adding the toppings; this prevents dough from getting soggy.
Marinara Sauce
Three shallots, diced
Four garlic cloves, minced
One 28-ounce can san marzano plum tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon each: dried oregano, basil, marjoram (can vary spices to whatever you prefer)
Salt and red pepper flakes, add according to taste
Directions:
Cook shallots in medium saucepan over medium-low heat for about ten minutes. Do not brown. Add garlic and cook another five minutes. Turn up heat and add tomatoes. Add spices and simmer, uncovered, at least one hour. Puree the sauce in an immersion blender or food processor.
Toppings
Two packages buffalo mozzarella, sliced into rounds
One medium Spanish onion, sliced
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced lengthwise
One bunch basil, hand torn
1/2 pound each of full milk mozzarella, provolone, and fontina cheese
Directions:
Assemble pizza by ladling marinara onto partially cooked dough, adding desired toppings, and cook at 500° F for ten to fifteen minutes.
Pizza Bianco
Parmesan Cream
1/2 pound parmesan, grated
1 cup cream or whole milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
