Pizza with Arugula and Parma Ham

 














Prep time: 1 hour

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 2 large or 4 small pizzas

BASIC PIZZA DOUGH:

2 tsp active dry yeast or 1 package

1 cup lukewarm water

2-3 cups flour (unbleached all purpose or bread flour)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar or honey

Cornmeal to dust pizza peel or pan

PIZZA TOPPING:

1 cup Mascarpone or Ricotta cheese

1 cup Blue cheese or Gorgonzola, crumbled

1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese

Fresh arugula or baby spinach greens

Prosciutto slices

Fresh pepper and salt to taste

Extra-virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

By Hand: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.  Make a well in the center and add the yeast, water and 2 tbsp olive oil.  Leave for 15 minutes to dissolve yeast.  With your hands, stir until the dough just holds together.  Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.  Avoid adding too much flour while kneading.  

Food Processor Method:  Add flour, yeast, oil, salt and sugar in the work bowl, pulse to blend the dry ingredients, slowly pour water into the feed tube of food processor while the machine is running.  When dough starts to form a ball around the blade, take out the dough and knead until smooth and elastic. 

Brush or spray the inside of a clean bowl with 1 tbsp of oil.  Place the dough in the bowl and roll around to coat with the oil.  Cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise in a draft free place until more than doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.  Divide the dough into 2 balls.  Preheat the oven to 450F.

Grease a rectangular baking sheet approximately 15''x11'' or a round 14'' pizza pan with olive oil.  If you own a pizza stone, use a preheated pizza stone and dust with cornmeal.  Roll the dough using a rolling pin or simply use your fingers to spread it out on the baking sheet.  

Spread Mascarpone and/or Ricotta cheese thinly on pizza.  Add a layer of crumbled Blue cheese or Gorgonzola and some Mozzarella cheese.  Bake until pizza looks golden, about 15-20 minutes.  Remove pizza from the oven and top with greens and Prosciutto slices.  Drizzle some good quality olive oil on top and season with pepper and salt.  Serve immediately.