Neapolitan Style Pizza

This month in Cooking Light magazine they were featuring Neapolitan style pizza.  My family loves homemade pizza so I thought I would give it a try.  The dough was thin and crisp just like my family likes and the sauce was tangy.  I choose sausage for this recipe but you can add your families favorite topping to this pizza.  The dough is convenient to make up the night before so you can serve up dinner quickly when you are short on time.

Neapolitan Style Pizza:
Makes:  3 medium size pizzas
Pre-Heat Oven:  550 degrees

Neapolitan Pizza Dough:
1 cup warm water (100 -110 degrees)
1 package dry yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons bread flour
4 teaspoons virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

In a small bowl, place the yeast and warm water (100 - 110 degrees) together and allow the yeast mixture to sit for 5 minutes. The yeast mixture will start to grow and become foamy. In a large mixing bowl with the dough attachment add the flour, yeast mixture, olive oil and salt.  Knead the dough with the dough hook on low for 7 minutes.  (If the dough is too sticky you can add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time.  If the dough is too hard add 1 tablespoon of warm water until the dough is kneading well in the mixer.  If you are making the dough by hand, add the flour, foamy yeast mixture, olive oil and salt in a large bowl. Incorporate all the ingredients together then knead the dough on a floured surface for 7 minutes.  Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Place the dough in the refrigerator overnight.  Allow the dough to come back to room temperature for 1 hour before you are ready to make the pizzas.

Neapolitan Pizza Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves minced
1 can (28 oz) can Cento or other Italian style peeled tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano or fresh basil

In a large bowl, mix the above ingredients together with a hand mixer for 1 minute or until all the ingredients are combined.  Set the sauce aside until you are ready to assemble your pizza.

Assembling your Neapolitan Pizza:
1.  Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces.
2.  Roll The 3 Dough Balls Out On A Floured Work Surface With A Rolling Pin.
3.  Cut the fresh Mozzarella cheese into small pieces, around 3 oz. per pizza.
4.  Prepare your favorite toppings:  pepperoni, sausage, onions, peppers, etc.

5.  Ladle One Scoop Of Pizza Sauce Onto Each Pizza Dough In A Circular Motion

6.  Sprinkle each pizza with 3 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese pieces.
7.  Sprinkle your favorite topping on top of the pizza sauce
8.  Cook each pizza separately at 550 degrees for six minutes on a perforated pizza pan or pizza stone.  The pizza should be brown on the crust and the cheese should be melted.

Neapolitan Pizza With Sausage And Fresh Mozzarella

Neapolitan Pizza With Sausage And Fresh Mozzarella