pizzettes for national pizza week

Patisseries: Paris :: Pizzerias: ______

Answer: NYC, or any North Jersey Town.

Prevalent and pervasive, patisseries and pizzerias seemingly exist on every block of their respective cities. Though I prefer the former to the latter, I will always find room for a good slice.  In my town of 45,000 residents, one can choose from 15 pizzerias.  We usually order out for pizza, but since it's National Pizza Week, I thought we'd try to make our own.

Pizza making can be a fun bonding experience— who knew?  Last night marked the first time The Family participated in making dinner together.  The Daughter loved the tactile experience of kneading the dough and Both Kids were actually excited at the thought of creating individual pizzas.

The Boy was intent on getting the pepperoni to spell out his name.  

(After quite a bit of snipping and cutting, he succeeded on Take #2. 

Pepperoni enjoys shifting on the melting mozzarella.)

The Daughter turned Gallic on us— Ham, Comté, and Caramelized Onion

The Husband did a New England-style version — White Clam and Garlic

I tried all of the above. ☺ But of course.

Pizzettes

Printable Recipe

Basic Pizzetta Dough

2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (105º to 115ºF)
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

To Prepare the Dough:


Hand method
In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the water and sir in the honey or sugar.  Let stand until dissolved and foamy, about 10 minutes.  Mix in 1 cup of the flour, the salt, and oil, stirring with a wooden spoon until smooth.  Gradually add the remaining flour ½ cup at a time, beating until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.  Turn out on a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.

Heavy-duty electric mixer method
In a heavy-duty electric mixer bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir in the honey.  Let stand until dissolved and foamy, about 10 minutes.  Using the flat paddle attachment, mix in 1 cup of the flour, the salt and oil.  Gradually add the remaining flour ½ cup at a time and beat for 2 minutes, or until the dough clings together in a ball and is smooth and elastic.  It is not necessary to knead by hand.


Place the the dough in an oiled bowl, turn to coat, and cover with plastic wrap.  Let rise in a warm place (70º to 80ºF) until doubled in size, about 1 to 1½ hours.

Remove the dough from the bowl. Use it immediately, or wrap it loosely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.  If chilled, let the dough stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before proceeding. Prepare the toppings.

To Shape and Bake:

At least 20 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 475ºF.  If using a baking stone or tiles, preheat the oven 30 minutes with the stone on the lowest shelf.  To make appetizer-size pizzette, cut the dough into quarters.  Cut each piece of dough into sixths, pat into a ball, and press down with the heel of your palm to form a disc.  With a rolling pin, roll each piece into a 4-inch round, or stretch the dough with your fingers. To make 6-inch pizzette, cut the dough into quarters, then cut each of these pieces into quarters and roll them into 6-inch rounds.  Place on 3 oiled pizza pans or baking sheets.  Top with toppings and let rise 20 minutes.  If using a baking stone, place one pan on the preheated stone.  Otherwise, place one pan on the middle shelf of the oven.  bake the 4-inch pizzette for 5 minutes and the 6-inch for 6 to 7 minutes, or until the crusts are crisp and browned on the bottom.  Repeat to bake the remaining pizzette.

Untopped prebaked or partially baked crusts may be made ahead, then topped and reheated or baked.  Most topped pizzette can be made in advance and reheated.  The exceptions are those with cooked seafood, asparagus, squash, or broccoli.  If the pizzette are made in advance, let cool and refrigerate, covered, for 1 day.  Let frozen pizzette thaw.  Reheat in a preheated 425º oven until heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes.