Stuffed Crust Pizza

It's like having cheese sticks with pizza.  Yum-O.

STUFFED CRUST PIZZA

(makes 1 medium pizza)

Crust Ingredients:

*2 cups 00 flour (or all-purpose flour)

*2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 tablespoon granulated sugar

*1 tablespoon dried oregano 

*2-3 garlic cloves, minced

*1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

*3/4 cup warm (not hot) water

*6 mozzarella sticks 

*1/4 cup butter

*1 teaspoon garlic powder

*1-2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese 

Pizza Sauce Ingredients:

*1 tablespoon olive oil

*1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped small

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1 1 1/2 cups crushed San Marino tomatoes

*1 tablespoon tomato paste

*1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 

*1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

*2 teaspoons dried oregano 

*1 teaspoon granulated sugar

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 

Topping Ingredients: (pick your favorites)

*2 cups shredded mozzarella or fresh mozzarella 

*sliced pepperoni

*pineapple tidbits 

*cooked sausage

*black olives

*green pepper, chopped 

*onions, chopped

*bacon, cooked and crumbled

*fresh basil

*feta cheese

Crust Directions:

~Add 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, and 2-3 minced garlic cloves into a food processor and mix until well incorporated.

~Pour drizzle in 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.

~Slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup warm water and mix until dough comes together.

~If dough is to sticky add up to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/8 cup at a time.

~Form dough into a ball and place into a greased bowl.

~Cover and allow to rise for 1 hour.

Sauce Directions (or buy your favorite pizza sauce)

~In a medium sauce pan, over medium heat, sauté 1/2 medium chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves in 1 tablespoon olive oil for about 1 minute stirring continuously.

~Add in 1 cup crushed San Marino tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper and stir until well incorporated.

~Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.

~Simmer for 30 minutes or until desired thickness.

~Using an immersion blender, blend until sauce is smooth.

~Set aside and allow to cool some.

Let's make the pizza:

~Preheat oven to 450 degrees for 30 minutes.

~Punch down pizza dough.

~Place a piece of parchment paper on counter.

~Place dough on parchment and press dough into a circle by gently pushing with your fingers.

~Place mozzarella cheese sticks near the outer edge of the dough (you may need to break them in half to get the curve).

~Carefully pull dough over cheese sticks and seal dough by pressing with your fingers so that the cheese is inclosed in the dough.

~Poke the bottom of the crust with a fork.

~Spoon desired amount of pizza sauce over crust.

~Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over sauce (I like to use fresh mozzarella).

~Add desired toppings.

~Carefully place parchment paper and pizza on cookie sheet.

~Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crust is a golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.

~In a small microwavable bowl, melt 1/8 cup butter.

~Stir in 1 teaspoon garlic powder an 1-2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

~Using a pastry brush, brush garlic butter mixture over crust of hot pizza.