My Home made Pizza or Focaccia – call it what you please

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My cheat recipe of pizza got the most views yesterday and I was thrilled.

Thought I’d keep the trend going and share my recipe with  you to make your own dough.

Sometimes I call this pizza and at other times focaccia – I guess it depends on the toppings I use. You call it what you like – I don’t mind 🙂

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In 1/2 cup tepid water – about 140 degrees, add two packets of yeast along with a tsp. of sugar.  Let sit.

Meanwhile put 3 cups of flour in a mixing bowl of a food processor – you can do this by hand.  It is very satisfying as well as helping you take out some of your aggression.

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After about 5 minutes or so the yeast should’ve bubbled up which tell you that it is alive.

I like to add some spices to my focaccia dough.

Here I have nigella seeds, fennel seeds, crushed red pepper and salt of course.

Add the water and yeast along with a 1/4 cup of olive oil.

Process the flour and liquid mixture till it starts to pull away from the sides.

You will have to adjust the liquid.

Don’t be afraid of this recipe – just add flour or liquid to achieve a dough that is not sticky to the touch.

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Process on high to develop gluten and then put in a bowl with some oil and cover with a clean cloth.

Put in a warm over or a warm spot in your kitchen.

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Depending on the temperature of the day your dough should start to rise within a couple of hours.

Punch it down and cover again.  I like to do this a few times.

If you are not ready to cook it that day – cover and put in refrigerator overnight and bring to room temperature before cooking.

When ready to cook – heat the oven to 450 degrees.

Pour the dough on a cookie sheet and spread out as much as possible.

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Let it rest for about 10 minutes and top as you please – here I have whole baby tomatoes and sprinkle with some salt and pepper.  Drizzle some olive oil if you like and cook for 20 minutes or until the dough feels hollows when you tap it.

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I like to put it under the broiler for a couple of minutes to get the charred color.

The second picture is one I made topped with olives, sundried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.

The toppings are your choice – cooked onions, peppers, sausage, anchovies – anything really.

I hope you try this recipe and again, call it what you please – just cook it and enjoy.

Until I cook again!

A Very Simple Sunday Pasta with Anchovies, Garlic, Fennel and Tomatoes

  • Anyone who reads my posts knows that I love pasta.

    I love it for its versatility – it takes on any flavor you are in the mood for.

    It is so simple and quick to make.

    It is also very economical and most importantly, it is delicious and I just love it.

    This dish is a staple in my household.

    By the time your water comes to a boil and the pasta cooks, you have a sauce and so a perfectly delicious meal in about 20 minutes.

    Add a generous amount of olive oil to a skillet.  On low heat cook some fennel seeds, a can of anchovies (trust me, you won’t even know they are there and just get this rich umami flavor – please trust me on this one), crushed red pepper and a copious amount of whole garlic.  Cook for about 5 or 7 minutes to perfume the oil and break down the anchovies.  Now add a 16 oz. can of whole, peeled tomatoes.  Crush them with the back of a spoon or sometimes I use a potato masher.

    Add some water to wash out the can or a dash of red wine or nothing at all.

    Add a little salt – careful, since the anchovies are plenty salty.

    Once the pasta is cooked (I like linguine as the sauce clings to it well – use your favorite pasta).

    Mix in the pasta with the sauce and add a little pasta water if you need to loosen the sauce.

    Put in bowls and grate fresh Parmesan generously over the pasta.

    You have dinner.

    Enjoy.

    Until I eat again!