Broccoli Rabe Pizza Topping Recipes

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA WITH CLAMS AND BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Make the dough. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 500˚ F (use the convection setting, if available) with a pizza stone, baking steel or inverted large baking sheet in the lower third of the oven. Put the clams in a large bowl of cold water; let sit 20 minutes to remove any excess grit.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and cook until bright green and just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl of ice water. Drain and pat dry, then roughly chop.
• Drain the clams and rinse under cold water. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until softened, 1 minute. Stir in the wine, oregano and clams. Cover and cook until the clams open, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the clams to a bowl with tongs, reserving the cooking liquid in the skillet; discard any unopened clams.
• Simmer the clam cooking liquid over medium heat until reduced by two-thirds, 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the heavy cream. Return the heat to medium, bring to a simmer and cook until thickened and the sauce coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 4 minutes. Let cool until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes; discard the oregano sprigs. Remove the clams from their shells and roughly chop.
• Working on a floured or cornmeal-dusted piece of parchment, gently stretch and press the dough into a 12- to 13-inch round. Sprinkle all over with the Parmesan, then top with the clam sauce (the sauce will spread as it bakes). Top with the clams, broccoli rabe and Calabrian chiles.
• Transfer the pizza (on the parchment) to the hot stone and bake until the crust is golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Slide the pizza onto a cutting board and let cool slightly. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
• Sprinkle the yeast over the hot water in a small bowl. Let stand until dissolved and slightly foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and add the olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, dust the dough with flour and knead, dusting with more flour as needed, until very smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough into two 1-pound balls. (If making sheet-pan pizza, let the dough rise, covered, on an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet coated with 3 tablespoons olive oil instead of in a bowl; do not divide into two balls.)
• If not using the dough right away, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before using.

BROCCOLI RABE AND SAUSAGE PIZZA

Steps:

• To make the dough, place the water in the bowl of a food processor, add the yeast and sugar, mix lightly, and let proof for about 5 minutes, until bubbles begin to form on the surface. Add the flour, bulgur, all but 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, and the salt, and process for 15 to 20 seconds.
• With the remaining teaspoon of oil, lightly grease the inside of large bowl. Remove the dough from the food processor, shape it into a ball and place it in the oiled bowl, turning it once to coat it with oil on all sides. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, prepare the pizza topping. Place the sausages and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a saucepan and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the sliced garlic and pepper flakes, and stir for 10 to 15 seconds. Mix in the broccoli rabe, still wet from washing. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the broccoli rabe is wilted. Add the salt and let the mixture cool, uncovered (to prevent discoloration), until lukewarm.
• When ready to cook the pizza, punch down the dough and spread it out by hand onto an aluminum cookie sheet to create a 12-by-14-inch rectangle, approximately 1/4-inch thick. Arrange the sausage and broccoli mixture on top, spreading it to within 3/4-to-1-inch of the edge of the dough. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the surface of the topping, and set it aside at room temperature for about 20 minutes to proof the dough.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place pizza in oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the crust is crisp and brown. Cut into wedges and serve.

BROCCOLI RABE PIZZA TOPPING

Steps:

• Brush entire crust with oil. Spread with cheese, broccoli rabe, and pine nuts.

BROCCOLI RABE PIZZA WITH HAZELNUT DOUGH

Steps:

• Preheat oven, preferably convection, to 500 degrees. Blanch broccoli rabe in a pot of salted water until tender; run under cold water, and drain. Toss 1 1/2 cups broccoli rabe with oil, onion, and red-pepper flakes; season with salt.
• Spread cornmeal on a baking sheet. Stretch dough into a 9 1/2-inch round; transfer to baking sheet. Drizzle dough with oil, and arrange broccoli rabe on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Bake until crust is golden brown and cooked through, about 12 minutes (20 minutes if not using convection oven). Drizzle with oil, and top with cheese.