Flaky Crust Pizza

We tried the Recipe of the Year from King Arthur Flour today and quite enjoyed it. It's been awhile since we've had pizza, which might have accounted for some our enjoyment, but it was delicious enough that we'll try it again sometime.

Flaky Crust Pizza

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup butter, grated and frozen
• 2/3 cup pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 to 1 cup fresh Mozzarella cheese, diced
• Basil Oil (see below)

Prepare the butter in advance!

Combine the flour, yeast, salt and sugar. Stir in the water and olive oil. Knead the dough for a bit, then let rise for 30 minutes (although it won't really rise). Roll into a rectangle about 13x10", then comes the tricky part called laminating. Sprinkle most of the frozen butter on the dough and fold 1/3 over from the right, then 1/3 from the left (or the other way around). Sprinkle the rest of the butter on the dough, then fold the top third down and the bottom third up. Roll out to a large rectangle, cover and rest for 15 minutes. 

Make the dough, rest, roll, fold, repeat!

Transfer to a baking sheet and stretch and press dough to the edges of the pan. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Repeat stretching dough to the edges and cover and let rest for another 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

Assemble with your choice of toppings!

Spread pizza sauce over dough, then Parmesan, grated Mozzarella and fresh Mozzarella. If desired, add additional toppings as well. Bake on lowest rack of oven for about 15 minutes. Drizzle with Basil Oil and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. 

Garnish and serve!

Basil Oil

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of red pepper flakes

Combine all ingredients.

Yummy, Yummy!