Main Course

Fennel Sausage Pizza

November 4, 2015

It’s been a highly a requested week and I’m happy to make it a reality…#PizzaWeek is back and I’m kicking off this glorious occasion with a pizza made just the way I like it! A Fennel Sausage Pizza made with a fresh herb sauce, piled high with spicy fennel sausage and mounds of melted mozzarella goodness! Hope you enjoy. This is one solid pizza recipe.

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Start by adding 1 cup of warm water to a measuring cup.   

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Add 1 tbsp salt…

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…1 tbsp of sugar…

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…half a packet of yeast…

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…and 3-4 tbsp olive oil.

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Give that  a good mix and then set aside for 10 minutes and allow the yeast to ferment.

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While you’re waiting for the yeast to ferment, finely mince 3 tbsp of oregano, basil, and parsley.

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Add them to a small mixing bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil…

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…2 tbsp parmesan and 1 tbsp garlic powder.

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Mix well and set aside.

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When the yeast is done fermenting, go ahead and add 1 cup of bread flour to the starter mix.  

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Begin folding the mixture for 5-7 minutes.

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Add additional flour if necessary.  

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The dough should be slightly thick and tacky in consistency.

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Oil a medium mixing bowl with a tbsp of olive oil.

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Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and give in a quick toss to oil the outer portion of the dough.  

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Cover and let the dough rest for at least one hour, or until doubled in size.

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As the dough rises, finely grind together 2 tbsp of fennel seeds, 1/2 tbsp chili flakes, and pinch of salt.

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Add this spice combo to 1/2lb of pork sausage and generously mix the ingredients.

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Roll the sausage in about an 1″ sized meatball, add to a sauté pan. 

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Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 500°F.

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Once the meatballs are cooked, generously flour  your work surface and turn the proofed dough out on the board.  Lightly flour the top of the dough…

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…and begin gently stretching the dough in a round pizza shape.  Thickness it up to your preference.

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Before you finish stretching the dough, transfer it to a baking sheet or pizza peel that is coated in semolina flour. Give the dough one last little stretch.

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Start by generously topping the pizza with the herb spread…

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…add the torn cooked sausage…

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…slice red onion…

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…sliced fennel…

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…and a good top off of shredded mozzarella.  

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Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 500°F or until the crust is golden brown.

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Quickly top the mix with fresh arugula and thinly slice fennel that has been tossed in a drizzle of olive, salt, and pepper.

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Slice it up and enjoy!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:60]

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| Top Left: Boos Cutting Board | Top Middle: Anchor Measuring Cups | Top Right: Pizza Stone |
|Bottom Left: Pizza Peel | Bottom Middle: Motar and Pestle | Bottom Right: All-Clad Pan |

 

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