Making pizza is a great way to get friends and family together for a casual gathering. They can be cooked in a pizza oven or conventional oven. We like to keep this process easy so we use store bought dough( making dough isn't difficult so go ahead a experiment if you'd like) You can also purchase pizza dough at a local pizzeria.
- Take pizza dough out of the refrigerator to rise for several hours (we set out dough covered with a dish towel in the morning to prepare pizzas for dinner). Once dough is risen, cut into portions depending on how many pies you'd like to make.
Line workstations at your kitchen island or a table with parchment paper. Cut all topping and place into clear bowls in center of your workstation: you'll need a bowl with each of the following :olive oil, kosher salt, fresh herbs of choice- basil, oregano, are a must, shredded mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. After that the options are endless: fill individual bowls with chopped mushrooms, broccoli, assorted peppers, spinach, arugula, assorted cheeses( parmesan, goat, gorgonzola, etc.), assorted meats( pepperoni, prosciutto, cooked chicken, cooked sausage, whatever you like) or even cooked shrimp or shucked clams. Place any additional ingredients you like. on your workskstation. We love the carmelized onion with prosciutto, fig jam topped with arugula and grated Parmesan if you'd like to try something new? Fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil make a delicious seasonal white pizza in the summer!
Preheat oven to 500F. You will need a pizza peel, pizza cutter, sheet of parchment paper, flour for dusting, pastry brush, rolling pin and pizza pans or pizza stone if desired and serving boards or trays.
Once all your prep work is done, let the fun begin! Place portioned dough at each workstation. Have guests roll and stretch dough into desired shape- circle, rectangle, whatever they choose. Work on a slightly floured surface. These are rustic pizzas so don't be to fussy about the shape. Place shaped pizza dough on parchment paper sheet. Lightly coat shaped dough with olive oil using a pastry brush and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt if desired. Add sauce, cheese and any toppings of choice. Try not to overload your pie for ease in cooking. Slide prepared pizza on parchment paper using pizza peel into the oven. Pizzas cook relatively quickly depending on your oven so check it often. We suggest you practice cooking a pizza to estimate your pizza cooking before you plan activity with a group( to avoid any unnecessary stress 😊) We put our pizzas directly in oven on parchment paper. You may also place directly on a pizza stone( some use corn meal on top of stone) in your oven or use a prepared pizza pan. Practice a little on your own to perfect your method. Once pizza is ready, remove from oven with peel and let cool slightly before slicing with pizza wheel cutter. Place pizza on serving board or tray. If you are making pizza with a group, set your table or buffet ahead of time so you and your guests can relax( after the pizza making) and enjoy it with a glass of wine and great conversation with friends!
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