Pizza with Peppers "pizza ai peperoni"

How to make Pizza with Peppers Recipe "pizza ai peperoni" - Preparation time: 30 minutes – Cooking time: 8 minutes – Rising time: 1 1/2-5 1/2 hours

4 Servings

for the dough:
5 cups (650 g) all-purpose flour or Italian “00” flour, plus more as needed
1 1/2 tsp. (5 g) fresh yeast, crumbled
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tsp. (375 ml) lukewarm water
1 tbsp. (18 g) salt

for the topping:
1 1/3 lbs. (600 g) crushed tomatoes
1 lb. (500 g) fresh mozzarella, shredded
1 1/3 lbs. (600 g) green, red or yellow bell peppers
1/2 bunch fresh basil leaves, chopped
salt
extra-virgin olive oil

Method:
Put the flour onto a clean work surface and make a well in the center. Dissolve the yeast in the water, and pour the yeast mixture into the well. Gradually start incorporating the yeast mixture into the flour until a loose dough starts to form, then add the salt.

Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rise in a warm room until it has doubled in volume (it can take from 1 to 4 hours depending on the temperature).

Divide the dough into four portions and roll them into balls. Let the dough portions rise again, covered with lightly oiled plastic wrap in a warm room, until they have once again doubled in size (it can take from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the temperature).

Put the peppers in the oven at 390°F (200°C) and roast until browned and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove them from the oven and transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let cool. Once cool, peel and cut the peppers lengthwise into quarters. Season the crushed tomatoes with a pinch of salt and a dash of extra-virgin olive oil.

Sprinkle the work surface with plenty of flour and flatten each dough ball with your hands, starting with your fingertips and progressing to a rotary movement of your hands as the dough gets flatter and wider, into a round about 8 inches in diameter.

Spread the crushed tomato over the each pizza dough, add the mozzarella and garnish with the peppers. Place the pizzas in the oven and bake at 480°F (250°C) for 8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown. As soon as they come out of the oven, garnish with the fresh basil leaves.

Pizza with Peppers "pizza ai peperoni"