Pizza Carrettiera

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) salt 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
• 1 cup (235ml) warm water 1 cup (235ml) warm water
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil 1 tablespoon (15ml) 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 bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) herb-infused olive oil (optional) 1 tablespoon (15ml) herb-infused olive oil (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 4g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.
2. 2.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
3. 3.
   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 thin circle.
4. 4.
   Place the rolled-out dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. 5.
   Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Arrange bell pepper slices, red onion slices, and cherry tomato halves on top.
6. 6.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
7. 7.
   Optional: Drizzle herb-infused olive oil over the cooked pizza for added flavor. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
8. 8.
   Slice and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bell pepper — For a smoky flavor, you can roast the bell pepper before slicing it for the pizza.
• Cherry tomatoes — If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can roast the cherry tomatoes in the oven for a few minutes before adding them to the pizza.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, preheat your baking sheet or pizza stone before placing the rolled-out dough on it.
• Experiment with different vegetable toppings such as mushrooms, zucchini, or olives to personalize your Pizza Carrettiera.
• To add a touch of heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the pizza before baking.
• If you prefer a more intense tomato flavor, you can use a homemade tomato sauce instead of store-bought.
• Leftover Pizza Carrettiera can be enjoyed the next day by reheating it in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes.

Serving advice

Serve the Pizza Carrettiera hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and enjoy it as a main course or as a delightful appetizer for gatherings. Pair it with a fresh green salad to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the Pizza Carrettiera with fresh basil leaves just before serving. The vibrant green color of the basil adds a pop of freshness to the pizza.