Cuban-Style Pizza

Ingredients

While the New York-style pizza is known for its thin and crispy crust, the Cuban-style pizza embraces a thicker crust with a slightly chewy texture. Additionally, the toppings are influenced by Cuban flavors, incorporating ingredients like plantains, black beans, and tangy mojo sauce. We alse have the original recipe for New York-Style Pizza, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (470ml) warm water 2 cups (470ml) warm water
• 1 tablespoon (15g) active dry yeast 1 tablespoon (15g) active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar
• 4 cups (500g) bread flour 4 cups (500g) bread flour
• 2 teaspoons (10g) salt 2 teaspoons (10g) salt
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) 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 cup (150g) cooked black beans 1 cup (150g) cooked black beans
• 1 ripe plantain, thinly sliced 1 ripe plantain, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup (120ml) mojo sauce 1/2 cup (120ml) mojo sauce
• 1/4 cup (30g) chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup (30g) chopped fresh cilantro

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 7g)
• Carbohydrates: 55g (Sugars: 5g)
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a round pizza crust.
5. 5.
   Place the pizza crusts on baking sheets. Spread tomato sauce evenly over each crust, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
6. 6.
   Arrange the cooked black beans and thinly sliced plantains on top of the cheese. Drizzle the mojo sauce over the toppings.
7. 7.
   Bake the pizzas in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
8. 8.
   Remove the pizzas from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top. Slice and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Plantain — Make sure to use ripe plantains for a slightly sweet flavor and softer texture. If you can't find plantains, you can substitute with ripe bananas.
• Mojo sauce — Prepare the mojo sauce in advance by blending together garlic, citrus juices (such as orange and lime), olive oil, and spices. It adds a tangy and garlicky kick to the pizza.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, preheat a pizza stone in the oven and bake the pizza directly on the stone.
• Experiment with different toppings like roasted pork, pickles, or Swiss cheese to add more Cuban flavors to your pizza.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes over the pizza before baking.
• Serve the pizza with a side of tangy Cuban slaw or a refreshing avocado salad.
• Leftover pizza can be reheated in a skillet for a crispy bottom or in the oven at a lower temperature to prevent the crust from becoming too hard.

Serving advice

Serve the Cuban-Style Pizza hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures. This pizza pairs well with a side of tangy Cuban slaw or a refreshing avocado salad.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the pizza with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro and a drizzle of mojo sauce. The vibrant colors of the toppings will make the pizza visually appealing and inviting.