Cast Iron Pan Pizza
Table of Contents
Introduction
This tutorial will guide you through making a delicious cast iron pan pizza with a deeply caramelized crust. Following this fool-proof recipe will help you create a pizza that serves two and can be customized with your favorite toppings. Perfect for pizza lovers wanting to elevate their homemade pizza game!
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
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Activate the Yeast
- In a bowl, mix together
- 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water
- Let it sit for 5 minutes. If the mixture becomes foamy, the yeast is active.
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Make the Dough
- Add 1 cup of flour (bread or all-purpose) and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the yeast mixture.
- Mix until combined, then flour your hands and knead the dough.
- Gradually add more flour to prevent stickiness, but keep the dough moist. Aim for a dough that can stretch thin without tearing.
- Form the dough into a smooth ball and coat it with olive oil. Also, oil the inside of the bowl.
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Let the Dough Rise
- Cover the bowl and let it rise
- For at least 24 hours in the fridge, or
- For 1-2 hours at room temperature until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Cast Iron Pan
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Season the Pan
- Pour enough olive oil into the 10-inch cast iron pan to coat the bottom well.
- Add a pinch of cornmeal, oregano, black pepper, and a small pinch of salt.
- Use your fingers to mix and spread the seasoned oil across the bottom and edges of the pan.
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Add the Dough to the Pan
- Once the dough has risen, stretch it out slightly wider than the pan.
- Place the dough in the prepared pan and let it proof for 30 minutes until puffy.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- Combine Ingredients
- In a bowl, mix together
- 1/3 cup canned pureed tomatoes (recommendation: Pastene "Kitchen Ready")
- A glug of olive oil
- A pinch of sugar
- A few torn leaves of fresh basil
Step 4: Assemble the Pizza
-
Preheat the Cooking Surface
- Place the pan on your largest burner and turn the burner to medium heat.
- Preheat your oven's broiler (grill) to high.
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Add the Sauce and Toppings
- Spoon the prepared sauce onto the dough, spreading it edge to edge.
- After 5 minutes of heating, sprinkle the pizza with
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Grated mozzarella cheese (4 ounces, kept cold)
- Optionally, add thinly sliced jalapeño or other toppings.
Step 5: Cook the Pizza
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Monitor Cooking Time
- After turning on the burner, the ideal cooking time is about 7-8 minutes.
- Use your sense of smell; when you detect a burning scent, it's time to transfer the pizza.
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Broil the Pizza
- Place the pan on a high rack in the oven and broil for 4-5 minutes until the top is browned to your liking.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
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Cool the Pizza
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool in the pan until firm.
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Release the Pizza
- Use a butter knife to carefully release the browned cheese from the edges of the pan.
- Use tongs to pull the pizza out. If the bottom sticks, you can scrape or tear it off gently.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've made a homemade cast iron pan pizza with a caramelized crust. With this recipe, you can experiment with different toppings and flavor combinations. Enjoy your delicious creation, and consider trying variations for future pizza nights!