Christian Petronis Tenderoni Pizza Recipes

CHRISTIAN PETRONI'S TENDERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to the highest temperature possible with a pizza stone on the upper rack, for 1 hour.
• Stretch pizza dough with your fingers, working in a circular motion, with your fingers positioned between the center of the dough and the edge, forming a rough disk that will gradually become thinner as you proceed. Then toss dough between the palms of your hands, allowing gravity to stretch it, and the center becomes thinner. Use your fists to move the dough in a circular motion to further stretch it, until it is about 12 inches in diameter, with the edge being slightly thicker. Place dough on a pizza peel lightly sprinkled with semolina to ensure it won't stick.
• Using a small ladle, evenly spread tomato sauce over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1/2-ich border. Distribute mozzarella uniformly over sauce; top with soppressata. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano, and drizzle with chili oil.
• When transferring pizza to the heated pizza stone in the oven, use one continuous, but quick, jerking motion. Once in the oven, turn the oven off, and turn broiler to high, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Serve drizzled with chili honey.

TENDERONI GRILLED PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat half of a grill to medium-high heat. Mix together the honey and chile paste in a small bowl and set aside.
• Dust work surface with flour. Press the pizza dough into a 10- to 12-inch round, using a rolling pin to ensure the dough is an even thickness. Place dough on grill over direct heat and grill until lightly charred and dough is still soft and pliable, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from grill.
• Drizzle the crushed tomatoes with some olive oil. Evenly spread the tomatoes over the grilled pizza crust, then top with mozzarella, pepperoni, Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. Place pizza back on the indirect heat (cold) side of the grill and close grill. Let cook until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Drizzle the pizza with the chile honey and sprinkle with basil leaves.

CHRISTIAN PETRONI'S PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine the water and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer and stir to dissolve. Add the flour all at once, and mix, using the dough hook on the lowest setting, for two minutes.
• Add the salt and continue mixing on medium-low speed for 6 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Transfer the dough to a bowl and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 24 hours. It should doubled in size.
• Turn dough out onto work surface and divide into eight 8-ounce portions. Form each portion into a ball with lightly oiled hands. Divide the shaped dough among two sheet pans lined with non-stick baking mats or lightly brushed with oil. Lightly brush dough with oil and cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for another 24 hours.
• Bring dough to room temperature one hour before shaping dough for pizza.

CALABRIAN CHILI HONEY

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together chili paste, honey, and 2 tablespoons water until well combined.

CHRISTIAN PETRONI'S MARGHERITA PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to the highest temperature possible with a pizza stone on the upper rack, for 1 hour.
• Stretch pizza dough with your fingers, working in a circular motion, with your fingers positioned between the center of the dough and the edge, forming a rough disk that will gradually become thiner as you proceed. Then toss dough between the palms of your hands, allowing gravity to stretch it, and the center becomes thinner. Use your fists to move the dough in a circular motion to further stretch it, until it is about 12 inches in diameter, with the edge being slightly thicker. Place dough on a pizza peel lightly sprinkled with semolina to ensure it won't stick.
• Using a small ladle, evenly spread tomato sauce over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Distribute mozzarella uniformly over sauce; garnish with basil leaves. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano, and drizzle with one tablespoon olive oil.
• When transferring pizza to the heated pizza stone in the oven, use one continuous, but quick, jerking motion. Once in the oven, turn the oven off, and turn broiler to high, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Serve drizzled with remaining tablespoon of olive oil.