Quad City-Style Pizza

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 cup (235ml) warm water 1 cup (235ml) warm water
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (80g) cooked Italian sausage 1/2 cup (80g) cooked Italian sausage
• 1/4 cup (40g) diced green peppers 1/4 cup (40g) diced green peppers
• 1/4 cup (40g) diced onions 1/4 cup (40g) diced onions

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 15g (Saturated Fat: 6g)
• Carbohydrates: 40g (Sugar: 3g)
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and yeast.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it 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.
   In a small bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, white vinegar, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes to make the sauce.
7. 7.
   Roll out the dough into a rectangle shape and transfer it to a greased baking sheet.
8. 8.
   Spread the sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by the cooked Italian sausage, diced green peppers, and diced onions.
10. 10.
    Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. 11.
    Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before cutting it into strips.
12. 12.
    Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cornmeal — Make sure to use fine cornmeal for a smoother texture in the crust.
• Italian sausage — If you prefer a milder flavor, use sweet Italian sausage instead of spicy.
• Green peppers — For a slightly charred flavor, you can roast the green peppers before adding them to the pizza.
• Mozzarella cheese — Opt for low-moisture mozzarella to prevent the pizza from becoming too watery.
• Red pepper flakes — Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, preheat your baking sheet in the oven before placing the rolled-out dough on it.
• If you prefer a thicker crust, let the dough rise for an additional 30 minutes before baking.
• Experiment with different toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, or black olives to customize your Quad City-Style Pizza.
• To achieve a smoky flavor, consider grilling the pizza instead of baking it.
• Leftover pizza can be reheated in a skillet for a crispy bottom.

Serving advice

Serve Quad City-Style Pizza hot, either as a main course or as a delightful appetizer. Pair it with a side salad to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

To showcase the unique cut of Quad City-Style Pizza, arrange the strips on a wooden cutting board or a rectangular serving platter. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color.