Cauliflower Crust Pizza With Merguez And Roasted Red Pepper Recipes

JUICER CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and place a baking sheet on the rack. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
• Run the cauliflower through the feed tube of a juicer. Discard or reserve the juice for another use (stash it in the fridge and use it to thin out your morning smoothie).
• Transfer the cauliflower pulp to a large bowl. Add the Asiago, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper, then combine until the mixture holds together when pinched.
• Line a flat cutting board with parchment and brush with some oil. Spread the cauliflower mixture into a 12-inch round. Slide the parchment with the crust onto the preheated baking sheet and bake until golden brown and darker at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the crust from the oven and top evenly with the mozzarella and then pepperoni. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Bake until cheese is bubbly with browned spots, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the basil just before slicing and serving.

ROASTED RED PEPPER PIZZA

Steps:

• Place a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet on the lower oven rack and preheat to 500 degrees F. Make the tomato sauce: Crush the tomatoes in a large bowl with your hands. Stir in the olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Make the pepper spread: Roast the chile pepper and bell pepper over the flame of a gas burner (or under the broiler), turning, until charred, 4 minutes for the chile and 6 to 8 minutes for the bell pepper. Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Peel off the charred skins with your fingers (you may want to use gloves for the chile pepper to avoid irritation). Halve the peppers and remove the seeds. Combine the garlic, anchovies, red pepper flakes and oregano in a food processor. Add the roasted peppers and pulse until almost smooth. Pour in the olive oil and pulse a few times. Season with salt.
• Assemble the pizza: Keep the prebaked crust on the baking sheet. Spread with 3/4 cup to 1 cup tomato sauce (you will have extra sauce). Top with the mozzarella, then spoon 1/2 cup pepper spread on top. Sprinkle with half of the parmesan. Transfer the baking sheet to the hot pizza stone and bake until the cheese melts and the crust is golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining parmesan and the herbs. Season with salt.
• Combine the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Stir in 2 cups warm water (about 105 degrees F) and 2 tablespoons olive oil with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until the dough rises slightly, about 1 hour.
• Using lightly floured hands, transfer the dough to a generously floured surface and knead several times until it just starts becoming smooth and elastic, about 1 minute (do not over-knead). Transfer to a lightly oiled large bowl. Tightly cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, place a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet on the lower oven rack and preheat to 500 degrees F.
• Brush two rimmed 13-by-18-inch baking sheets (not nonstick) with 3 tablespoons olive oil each. Place one piece of dough on each baking sheet. Prepare the pizzas one at a time: Cover the dough with plastic wrap, then press firmly with your hands to fill the baking
• Remove the plastic wrap and transfer the baking sheet to the hot pizza stone. Bake until the crust starts browning, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully loosen the crust from the pan using a spatula. Top and bake (see recipe indexfor ideas), or let cool, lightly wrap in plastic and set aside up to 8 hours.

CAULIFLOWER-PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and a pinch each of salt, cinnamon and cayenne; toss with 1 head cauliflower florets and 8 halved baby bell peppers on a baking sheet. Roast at 450 degrees F, 15 minutes. Whisk 1 tablespoon each olive oil and lemon juice, 1 teaspoon maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss with the roasted vegetables, 2 sliced celery stalks and some chopped parsley and hazelnuts. Season with salt and black pepper.