Recipes: Pizza

Makes 2 large or 3 medium thin pizza crusts.

Note: Use an instant-read thermometer to measure water temperature. From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 2 c. (10 oz. total) flour, preferably 00 flour (or all-purpose flour)

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/2 tsp. dried basil

• 1/4 tsp. dried oregano

• 1 tsp. (1/2 envelope) active dry yeast

• Pinch sugar

Directions

Put flour, garlic, salt and herbs into a food processor fitted with metal blade or into a mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook. Pulse several times to mix well.

Mix water, yeast and sugar in small bowl; let stand until foamy. Add to flour. Process or mix just long enough for the mixture to form a ball. (If it is sticky, add a couple of tablespoons of flour and mix until incorporated.)

Punch down dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured board. Knead several times to expel air before using.

Nutrition information per serving for 6:

Calories175

Carbohydrates37 g

Protein5 g

Saturated fat0 g

Cholesterol0 mg

Sodium200 mg

Total sugars0 mg

Dietary fiber2 g

Note: If your pizza stone is smaller than 15 inches, make 3 pizzas. When the first pizza is in the oven, start assembling the second. Bake the pizzas one at a time for best results. From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 1 garlic and herb pizza dough (see Recipe or use 1 lb. purchased refrigerated pizza dough)

• Flour for rolling dough

• Olive oil

• 1 large (8-oz.) red onion, halved, very thinly sliced

• 1/2 lb. assorted fresh mushroom caps (such as button, cremini and shiitake), thinly sliced, about 4 c.

• 2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 1/4 tsp. minced fresh thyme or 1/8 tsp. dried

• Cornmeal

• 1/2 c. mascarpone cheese, chilled

• Chopped fresh basil and chives

Directions

Divide pizza dough in half. Roll each into a ball. Let stand covered with a towel on a well-floured work surface.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring until onions are golden and soft, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar; cook to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add sliced mushrooms and 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Cook, stirring, until mushrooms are golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook, 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in onions and thyme. Let cool.

Put a pizza stone or a heavy-duty baking sheet on the middle oven rack. Preheat oven to 550 degrees. Have all ingredients nearby. Sprinkle a baking sheet or a peel with cornmeal.

Brush dough lightly with oil. Top with half of the onion mixture, leaving a 1-inch border at the edge. Dollop small bits of half of the mascarpone over all. (It will melt in the oven and spread.) Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Gently slide the pizza onto the hot pizza stone. Bake until edge is golden brown and crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully transfer the cooked pizza to a cutting board or another baking sheet. Assemble and bake the other pizza.

Serve pizzas as soon as they come out of the oven, sprinkled with basil and chives.

Nutrition information per serving for 4:

Calories590Fat29 gSodium530 mg

Carbohydrates65 gSaturated fat15 gTotal sugars5 g

Exchanges per serving: 4 starch, ½ carb, 1 high-fat protein, 3½ fat.

Makes 2 calzones (serves 2 to 4).

Note: If you have a large enough pizza stone, you can bake both calzones at the same time. From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 1 garlic and herb pizza dough, see Recipe (or 1 lb. purchased refrigerated pizza dough)

• Flour for rolling dough

• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

• 1 c. ricotta cheese

• 1 medium red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded, chopped (you can use bottled), about 1/2 c.

• 1/4 tsp. salt

• 1/8 tsp. black pepper

• 1 c. shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese

Directions

Divide pizza dough in half. Roll each into a ball. Let stand covered with a towel on a well-floured work surface.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and onion. Cook and stir, breaking sausage up into small pieces, until sausage is golden, about 12 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Let cool.

Mix ricotta, diced red pepper, salt and pepper in small bowl. Add basil if using.

Put 1 dough ball on a floured surface. Use a floured rolling pin to gently roll ball into a 12-inch round. Place dough circle onto the prepared baking sheet or peel.

Spread half of the ricotta mixture over one half of the dough circle. Top ricotta with half of the sausage mixture and half of the shredded cheese. Fold other half of dough over to make a half-moon shape. Use your fingers to crimp and roll the dough edges together to seal in the filling. Repeat to make a second calzone.

Carefully slide calzones onto heated pizza stone. Cook until top crust is golden and crisp, about 8 minutes. Carefully transfer the cooked calzones to a cutting board or serving plate. Serve immediately.

Nutrition information per serving for 4:

Calories630Fat29 gSodium980 mg

Protein30 gCholesterol80 mgDietary fiber3 g