Three-Cheese Pie (Red)
- Course: Main Course
- Features: Kid-Friendly
Summary:
Jill Erber of Cheesetique in Del Ray suggests slicing the cheese beforehand and wrapping it in plastic wrap for an hour or so to remove some of its moisture; too much moisture on a pie can make for a soggy center.
When dressing the pies, go easy on the toppings. Think of them more as a glaze of ingredients rather than as the cheesy gooey-ness of a commercial pizza.
This recipe makes 2 rounds of dough, one of which can be wrapped well and frozen or kept at hand if a do-over is needed.
Makes two crusts and topping for one 10-inch pie (1 generous serving)
Ingredients:
For the dough- 2 cups flour, preferably 00 (see TIP), plus more for the work surface
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for the bowls
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 to 2 tablespoon active dry yeast
- Pinch salt
- Cornmeal, for dusting the baking surface
- 1/3 cup Italian fontina cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, thinly sliced with a vegetable peeler
- 1/4 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 to 3 medium roasted cloves garlic (see NOTE)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Directions:
For the dough: Lightly flour a work surface; use 1 tablespoon of oil to grease the inside of each of 2 medium mixing bowls.
Heat the water in a microwave oven on HIGH for 30 to 45 seconds, until it is tepid (about 100 degrees). Add the honey and yeast; use a whisk to mix thoroughly. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, until it is frothy.
Combine the flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor. With the motor running, slowly pour in the water-yeast mix until a slightly wet ball of dough forms. Transfer to the prepared work surface and knead for 10 minutes on a floured surface. The dough should gain elasticity as it is worked.
Divide the dough in half, forming 2 equal balls. Place a ball in each oiled bowl and turn until it is well coated. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean, dry dish towel. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour at room temperature. (At this point, 1 ball of dough can be refrigerated, well covered, for a day or two, or wrapped well in plastic wrap and a heavy-duty resealable plastic food storage bag and frozen for 2 weeks.)
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 500 degrees, preferably with rectangular pizza stones on the top and middle shelves; that can take 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Punch down the ball of dough and gradually press it out into a round about 10 inches in diameter. If you are using a pizza peel (paddle) to transfer the pie to the oven, sprinkle it liberally with cornmeal and transfer the round of dough to the peel.
For the cheese topping: Combine the cheeses in a medium bowl.
For the red sauce pie: Combine the diced, drained tomatoes and the roasted garlic in a small cup. Spread the mixture in a thin layer on the dough circle, followed by an even distribution of the cheese, then the crushed red pepper flakes to taste, then the herbs.
When ready to bake, drizzle a little olive oil over the toppings. Liberally sprinkle the middle-rack pizza stone with cornmeal (if not using a pizza peel). Transfer the pie to the middle-rack stone; bake for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve hot.
NOTE: To roast garlic:Slice the top off 1 head of garlic so that the tops of the cloves inside are exposed. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated 425-degree oven for about 45 minutes or until the garlic has softened and browned. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins and discard their stem ends.
Recipe Source:
From Washington food writer Melissa McCart.
E-mail the Food Section with recipe questions.
(Bill O'Leary - The Washington Post)
