Pizza Capricciosa Recipe Guide

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (includes dough resting time)
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Ease of Cooking: Intermediate
• Servings: 4
• Calories: Approximately 280 per slice
• Cost of Ingredients: Moderate
• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main
• Equipment Needed: Mixing bowl, rolling pin, pizza stone or baking sheet, pizza cutter, oven
• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Pizza Capricciosa  now.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Toppings:

• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup artichoke hearts, quartered
• ¼ cup mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup black olives, pitted and halved
• ¼ cup cooked ham, diced
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)
• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Pizza Capricciosa  now.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine lukewarm water with active dry yeast. Stir and let sit for about 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. This step is essential for creating a soft and chewy crust.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Toppings

1. Sauce and Cheese: Prepare ½ cup of your favorite pizza sauce and grate the mozzarella cheese. You can use pre-shredded mozzarella for convenience, but freshly grated cheese melts more evenly.
2. Slice and Prep Vegetables: Slice mushrooms and quarter the artichoke hearts. Dice the ham and pit and halve the black olives.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to its highest temperature (usually around 475°F or 250°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside.
2. Roll Out the Dough: Punch down the dough to remove excess air. Place it on a floured surface and roll it out into a 12-inch circle, about ¼ inch thick. For a classic look, leave a slightly thicker edge around the crust.
3. Transfer to Baking Surface: Place the rolled-out dough onto a lightly floured pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet if you don’t have a pizza peel.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza

1. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
2. Arrange Toppings: Scatter artichoke hearts, mushrooms, ham, and olives over the cheese. Feel free to adjust the toppings based on your taste!

Step 5: Bake the Pizza

1. Bake: Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
2. Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish with fresh basil leaves. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve hot.

Variations and Tips

• Vegetarian Option: Skip the ham and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for a vegetarian-friendly capricciosa.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free pizza dough mix and follow package instructions.
• Vegan Option: Use vegan mozzarella and skip the ham, or replace it with a smoky vegan substitute for a plant-based version.
• Extra Flavor: Sprinkle a pinch of dried oregano or red pepper flakes on top for added Italian flavor.
• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Pizza Capricciosa  now.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

• Calories: ~280
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Protein: 11g
• Fat: 11g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fiber: 2g

So…

Has this guide made making Pizza Capricciosa seem a little less daunting, or have you tried it before? Please, be honest, and let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear your feedback after all, it’s great to get input from real people like you, so please, leave your honest comment!