Apizza with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5g) instant yeast 1 teaspoon (5g) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt
• 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
• 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated cheddar cheese 1/2 cup (50g) grated cheddar cheese
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced black olives 1/4 cup (30g) sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced red onions 1/4 cup (30g) sliced red onions
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 15g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 38g (3g sugars)
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a thin circle.
7. 7.
   Place the rolled-out dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
8. 8.
   Spread half of the tomato sauce evenly over each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, black olives, and red onions over each pizza.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
12. 12.
    Slice and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bacon — For a crispier texture, cook the bacon until it is fully crispy before crumbling it onto the pizza.
• Fresh basil leaves — Add the basil leaves as a garnish after baking to preserve their vibrant color and fresh flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, preheat your baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven before placing the rolled-out dough on it.
• Experiment with different toppings to create your own unique flavor combinations.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
• To save time, you can use store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.
• Leftover apizza can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain its crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve the apizza hot, straight from the oven, for the best taste and texture. Cut it into slices and serve as a main course or appetizer.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, garnish the apizza with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve it on a wooden cutting board or a pizza stone to enhance the rustic feel.