St. Louis-Style Pizza with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5g) salt 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
• 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5g) active dry yeast 1 teaspoon (5g) active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) white vinegar 1 tablespoon (15ml) white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) red pepper flakes
• 1 cup (120g) Provel cheese, shredded 1 cup (120g) Provel cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup (30g) Parmesan cheese, grated 1/4 cup (30g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup (85g) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled 1/2 cup (85g) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup (40g) roasted red peppers, sliced 1/4 cup (40g) roasted red peppers, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 3g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Make a well in the center.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
3. 3.
   Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the well of the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   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.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
7. 7.
   In a saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, white vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. 8.
   Roll out the dough into a thin circle and transfer it to a greased pizza pan.
9. 9.
   Spread the tangy sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
10. 10.
    Sprinkle the Provel cheese and Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
11. 11.
    Top the pizza with cooked Italian sausage and roasted red peppers.
12. 12.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy.
13. 13.
    Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
14. 14.
    Slice and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Italian sausage — For a healthier option, choose lean Italian sausage or substitute with turkey sausage.
• Provel cheese — If Provel cheese is not available, you can use a combination of shredded cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses.
• Roasted red peppers — You can roast your own red peppers or use jarred roasted red peppers for convenience.
• Fresh basil — To enhance the flavor, tear the basil leaves instead of chopping them.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crispy crust, preheat your pizza pan in the oven before placing the rolled-out dough on it.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking.
• Experiment with different toppings such as mushrooms, onions, or bacon to customize your St. Louis-Style Pizza.
• To save time, you can use store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.
• For a smoky flavor, grill the pizza instead of baking it in the oven.

Serving advice

Serve the St. Louis-Style Pizza hot, straight from the oven. Cut it into slices and enjoy it as a main course or share it as an appetizer during gatherings.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh basil leaves on top of the pizza before serving. The vibrant green color will add a pop of freshness to the dish.