Recipe: Simple toppings create complex flavors

Helena Spensatelli, Saucygirlskitchen.com

(Photo: Helena Spensatelli / Saucygirlskitchen.com)

I love making pizza at home. It’s really simple to make the dough yourself. This recipe is my favorite for pizza crust and flatbread (rolled extra thin), and it turns out perfect every time. However, you always have the option to buy a ready-made pizza crust, and there’s lots of great options in the grocery store. I think the best part of making pizza at home is topping it with all your favorites — and lots of cheese.

The recipe I’m sharing today has become our new family favorite. The toppings are simple, but the flavor is anything but simple.

Mexican Pizza

Makes one 12” pizza

Dough:

1 cup warm water

2 ½ teaspoons dry active yeast

1 tablespoon honey

2 ½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon olive oil

Pizza sauce:

1/2 cup cilantro

1/4 cup pickled jalapeños

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tsp cumin

Toppings:

2 to 3 cups of shredded Mexican cheese blend

2 roma tomatoes, diced

1 cup fresh corn

½ red onion, thinly sliced

½ cup black olives, halved

2 tablespoons capers

More pickled jalapeños, optional (but nice if you like it spicy)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix the honey and warm water together in a small bowl.

Add the yeast to the water and let it sit for 15 minutes until a nice foam forms from the yeast growing.

Place flour and salt in a mixing bowl with the dough hook attachment and slowly add the yeast mixture.

Mix on medium-high for about five minutes, until the dough becomes elastic and firm.

Remove dough from bowl and rub lightly with olive oil.

Place in a bowl and cover with a clean dry towel.

Let sit in a warm place to rise for 20 minutes (it should double in size).

While the dough is rising you can make the sauce for the pizza.

Blend the cilantro, pickled jalapeños, olive oil, lime juice and cumin together in the food processor until a smooth paste is formed.

Set aside until you have your pizza crust ready to top.

After the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface.

If you want to make smaller individual pizzas, cut dough into portions, or use for one large pizza.

Roll out to desired thickness and size, or shape using your hands, gently stretching the dough into the shape you desire.

Place dough onto a lightly greased pizza baking pan.

Spoon the cilantro sauce onto the pizza crust and spread evenly.

Evenly distribute the cheese and toppings on the crust.

Bake for 10-15 minutes or so, depending on the thickness of the crust.

Remove, cut into slices and serve.

For a crispier crust, cook your pizza crust for about seven minutes before topping it with anything.

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