Pizza Fritta translates to "Fried Pizza". These pizzas are made with an Italian fried dough and then topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil leaves.
1cupwater (plus 1 or 2 tablespoons - extra if needed)
1 ½teaspoondried active yeast
½teaspoonwhite sugar
¾teaspoonsalt
To Fry and Assemble
½cupolive oil(or use sunflower or vegetable oil)
4ozmozzarella cheese(120 grams, finely chopped or grated)
basil leaves
Tomato Sauce
2tablespoonsolive oil
1clovegarlic
14ouncecanned tomatoes in tomato juice(400 grams)
½teaspoonsalt (or to taste)
Instructions
Homemade Pizza Dough
Mix together warm water, yeast and sugar. Set aside 10 minutes or until bubbles form.
Using the dough hook on the stand mixer (or use your hands), add flour and salt to the water/yeast mixture and combine until the mixture comes together. Mix for 5 minutes (or 7 minutes by hand) until smooth and elastic. The dough should just stick to the bottom of the bowl but not the sides. If it sticks to the sides, it's too wet - a little extra flour. If it lifts from the bottom of the bowl, it's too dry - add a little water.
Remove from stand mixer bowl onto a work surface. Knead for a minute or two then form the dough into a ball and place into an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm place until doubled.
Scrape the dough onto a lightly oiled surface and divide into 8 portions. Form into balls.
Press or roll each ball into a 4 - 5 inch round. Cover with plastic wrap so they don’t dry out.
To Fry and Assemble
Reheat the tomato sauce and keep warm.
Grate or cut the mozzarella cheese into small pieces. Set aside.
Heat the oil. Test with the end of a wooden spoon. If the oil bubbles when you put the end of the spoon in, it’s ready. Fry for one minute on each side until golden and puffy. Drain on paper towels.
While still hot, spread with a couple of spoonfuls of hot pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil leaves.
Serve immediately.
Tomato Sauce
Peel and chop the garlic finely. Crush the tomatoes by hand or whizz in the food processor until smooth. Place oil and garlic in a pan over medium heat. When the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden, add the crushed tomatoes and salt. Stir and allow to simmer.
Turn the heat down to barely simmering and cook for 10 minutes until slightly thickened and reduced. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Set aside.
Notes
Tips for Success
Plan ahead
Use quality ingredients
Oil your fingers and the board when pressing and shaping the dough. Don’t add any extra flour.