Best Tuscany Individual Pizzas Recipes

PIZZETTE - MINI PIZZA BITES WITH ASSORTED TOPPINGS

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water with sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
• In a mixer bowl add flour and yeast water, give a quick stir.
• Using a dough hook attachment start to knead slowly increasing the speed.
• Add salt and extra virgin olive oil.
• NOTE: Don't add salt immediately as it'll weaken yeast quality!
• Knead for about 5 minutes.You should get a smoth and pretty soft dough. It'll be slightly sticky but manageable to handle it with your hands.
• Transfer the dough in large oiled bowl. Cover with a plastic wrap and let rise for 2-3 hours in a warm (not hot!) place.
• Past 2-3 hours the dough should double in size.
• Transfer it to a slightly floured work surface.
• Roll with a rolling pin to about 3-5 mm thick.
• Using a round cookie cutter about 3 inches in diameter cut out pizzette circles.
• Place pizzette on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper leaving some space in between.
• Cover with a linen towel and let rise for 30-60 minutes in a warm place.
• While pizzette are rising it's a good idea to prepare the sauce and the toppings.
• In a skillet pan add tomato puree/passata di pomodoro, let simmer on low heat until slightly reduced. The thickness of the sauce should be good enough to stay on pizzetta, not too liquid-y but also not paste-like.
• Add fresh basil leaved roughly torn with your hands.
• Cook for another few minutes and let cool.
• Cut, slice and pit all other ingredients that you've chosen as your pizza toppings.Here you can mix, match and be creative!
• Preheat oven to 375F / 190C
• Using your point finger press around and in the center of each pizzetta (see photo) to form a slight cavity to hold in the topping.
• Top with your favorite toppings.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until cheese is well melted and pizzette have a light golden edge. Be careful and don't overcook as the dough might become hard.

TUSCANY INDIVIDUAL PIZZAS

Steps:

• Place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of oven and preheat to 500 degrees F. for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let stand for 10 minutes. Traditional method: Put 1 1/2 cups of the flour, semolina sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. While stirring with a wooden spoon slowly add the yeast mixture until combined. Add the olive oil and continue stirring until the mixture forms a loose ball, adding the remaining 1/4 cup of flour if necessary to form a ball that is not sticky. On a lightly floured board knead the dough for 3 to 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and consistent in texture.
• Food Processor method: With the metal blade inserted, put the flour, semolina, sugar and salt into the work bowl. With the motor running, pour the yeast mixture through the feed tube and process for 30 to 45 seconds or until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add the olive oil through the feed tube and continue to process for 1 minute. The dough should have formed a ball. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly with flour until it is not sticky.
• Both methods continue: Form the dough into a ball and put in a bowl that has been lightly coated with olive oil. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and put it in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a cylinder and cut into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a lightly floured platter. Cover with a damp towel. Using a rolling pin, roll one ball into a circle. Garnish the pizza as desired. Place directly on pizza stone and bake for approximately 4 minutes (Check after 3 minutes) until ready.
• Continue creating individual pizzas.
• La Margherita Pizza toppings: Top the pizza with a tomato puree made up of peeled tomatoes (use canned tomatoes when good quality fresh are unavailable), olive oil, oregano and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle with grated Mozzarella cheese and lightly drizzle olive oil over the pizza. Add salt and pepper for taste.
• La Napoletana Pizza toppings: Top the pizza with tomato puree and sprinkle with capers, mozzarella cheese and top with anchovies. Lightly drizzle olive oil over the pizza.
• Additional Toppings to add as you wish: Italian Ham, Peccorino Romano Cheese, Red and yellow bell peppers, olives, onions, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese.