Bacon Potato Rosemary And Fontina Pizza Adapted From Tyler Florence Recipe 435

BACON, POTATO, ROSEMARY AND FONTINA PIZZA, ADAPTED FROM TYLER FLORENCE RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• To make the pizza dough (which is really good): In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes. If you're using a stand mixer, combine the salt and flour to the bowl and pulse a few times to mix. Add the yeast mixture, at the lowest speed, until the flour incorporates. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and mix until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and pulse a few more times. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic. If you're making the dough by hand, add the yeast mixture to a large bowl and stir in the salt and the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then begin stirring in the flour. When the mixture becomes too stiff to stir with a spoon, knead in the rest of the flour by hand, adding just enough so that the dough is soft but not too sticky. As you work, squeeze a small amount of dough together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until it doubles in size, about 1 hour*. NOTE: *I turned my oven on to warm, then turn it off. This helps to speed up the proofing of the pizza dough. For the pizza: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Put a jelly roll pan or half sheet pan in the oven. In a large mixing bowl, combine the fingerling potatoes, onion, bacon*, and rosemary leaves (and fresh garlic, if using). Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss together to coat with olive oil. NOTE:* I pre-cooked the bacon, but didn't over crisp it. I'm glad I did this, as the bacon was cooked perfectly. Take the preheated jelly roll pan out of the oven and drizzle some olive oil over entire surface. Cut the dough into 2 pieces and reserve 1 piece for another use*. NOTE: I actually used 3/4 of the dough, and rolled in on a non-stick pie crust mat. I was able to pre-cut it to fit my jelly roll pan, which I thought was easier. Otherwise, stretch the pizza dough out so it is just bigger than the pan, then lay it inside the pan so the dough comes up the sides to form a crust on the rim. Pour the potato mixture onto the pizza dough, then sprinkle with shredded fontina (I increased the amount to 2 cups). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy and golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. OPTIONAL BUT GLAD I DID THIS: Garnish with arugula and drizzle the lemon juice over the top. Serve immediately.

THE ULTIMATE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F and place the pizza stone on the bottom rack.
• Crumble the yeast in a small bowl then add 1/4 cup of warm water and the syrup. Stir together and leave for 5 minutes to dissolve.
• Put the flour and salt in a mixer fitted with a dough hook and give it a quick spin to mix. Pour in the yeast mixture, the remaining warm water and the olive oil at the same time, see Cook's note*.
• Spin on low until the flour and water come together and the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Put the ball of dough in a large bowl and drizzle a few drops of olive oil on top to keep it from forming a skin as it proofs. Cover with a towel and leave in warm place for 30 minutes to let the dough proof. When the dough has proofed it will double in size and look spongy.
• For the topping: Caramelize the onions in a frying pan over low heat with a little olive oil and one of rosemary sprigs. When the onions are golden season with sea salt and black pepper and a few drops of lemon juice to bring out the flavor.
• When the dough has proofed, roll it out onto to a floured surface and punch the air out with your hands, then start shaping it into a circle When it's stretched out, dust a pizza paddle with flour and place the dough on it.
• Cover with a generous splash of olive oil and scatter with pieces of Robiola. Shingle the pancetta slices around and add the caramelized onions, and the stripped needles of the remaining rosemary sprig. Drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and black pepper.
• Slide the pizza onto the stone in the oven (be careful the stone is 500 degrees F) and bake for 15 minutes. Shave white truffles over it. Eat immediately.
• Special equipment: Pizza stone and pizza paddle .

ITALIAN SAUSAGE, POTATO & SPINACH SOUP RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• In your pot or Dutch Oven, warm the butter and olive oil on medium heat and begin softening your vegetables. I like to start with the tougher ones first, like carrots, potatoes and celery then add in the onion and garlic with the sausage while continually stirring being careful not to burn until sausage is browned a bit. After the veggies are softened, add the chicken stock, the spinach, and the bay leaf, cover and simmer on low for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the Cannellini beans and stir. Slowly add the half and half while stirring it into the soup. Serve warm with fresh bread. Serves 6. Enjoy!