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Pizza Capricciosa

Capricciosa

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian

Equipment

  • Equipment Needed: Mixing bowl, rolling pin, pizza stone or baking sheet, pizza cutter, oven

Ingredients
  

  • 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

Instructions
 

  • Instructions
  • Step 1: Prepare the Dough
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to its highest temperature (usually around 475°F or 250°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.