Palermo Style Pizza Recipes

DETROIT-STYLE PEPPERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the bottom of the oven and preheat to the highest temperature setting, 500 to 550 degrees F.
• Pour the oil in a large, square metal cake pan (or, ideally, an authentic Detroit-style pizza pan). Put the Pizza Dough in the pan and gently stretch it out to fit so the dough reaches the corners. If the dough is being temperamental, set it aside for another 10 minutes to relax and try again.
• Layer the pepperoni on the dough. Then lay the cheese cubes all over, especially around the perimeter up to the edge of the pan (this creates the coveted crispy cheese crust). Dollop the pizza sauce on top in 3 lines.
• Bake in the ultra-hot oven until bubbly and golden and a crispy cheese crust has formed, 10 to 15 minutes. Using a fish spatula, loosen up the edges and place on a cutting board. Slice into squares and serve!
• Put the flour, salt, yeast and sugar in a food processor with a metal blade attachment and pulse to combine. Add 1 cup warm water, then process until a ball forms, about 30 seconds (if a ball does not form, add a bit more flour). Process for another 30 seconds, then roll into a tight ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Proof in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 2 hours.
• Heat a small saucepot over medium heat and add the oil. Add the Italian seasoning and garlic and saute until fragrant; do not let the garlic burn. Add the tomatoes and sugar and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and simmer until concentrated, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

PIZZA SICILIA (PALERMO STYLE PIZZA)

Steps:

• Make dough by mixing dough ingredients. Knead 12 to 20 minutes. Pat into a ball, cover it tight and let stand 3 hours in warm place until twice the size.
• In the oil fry onion tender but not too brown, stir in tomato paste and keep stirring 3 or 4 minutes. Season with spices, pour water over and simmer slowly 25 to 30 minutes. Add anchovies when sauce is done.
• Procure a low, wide and handsome tin pizza pan, or reasonable substitute, and grease well before spreading the well-raised dough ½ to ¾ inch thick.
• Poke your finger tips haphazardly into the dough to make marks that will catch the sauce when you pour it on generously.
• Shake on Parmesan or Parmesan-type cheese and bake in hot oven (350F) ½ hour, then ¼ hour more at lower heat (250F) until the pizza is golden-brown.
• Cut in wedges like any other pie and serve.

PALERMO STYLE PIZZA

Steps:

• Prepare the Sicilian Style Pizza Dough. Prepare the Pizza Sauce.
• Place the sliced onions, stock, Marsala, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper into a large, heavy pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, uncovered for about 45 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking or burning. The finished onions will be dark and sweet with most of the liquid evaporated. Remove the pan from the heat and cool to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Grease a rectangular baking sheet generously with olive oil. Roll or stretch the pizza dough onto the sheet and sprinkle evenly with the diced Romano cheese. Gently press the cheese into the dough. Brush the whole surface of the pizza with the Pizza Sauce. Top with an even layer of the onion mixture and sprinkle with the grated Romano cheese and Italian style breadcrumbs.
• Let the Sfincionello rise for 15-20 minutes. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees halfway through cooking. Bake until it is nicely browned and bubbly. Remove the pizza from the pan, slice into rectangles and serve hot.

ST. LOUIS-STYLE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly grease two 12" round pizza pans, or a couple of large baking sheets.
• Make the crust:
• Mix the flour, oil, and water together - the mixture will be shaggy. Use your hands to gather it together and form into a ball. Divide it in two and form each half into a disk the rounder the better.
• Cover with saran wrap and allow to rest 10 minutes to make for easier rolling - skip this step if you're in a hurry.
• Grease a piece of parchment or wax paper about 12" square and set a circle of dough in the middle. Cover with another lightly greased piece. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough very thin - 1/8 inch or less.
• Place the dough on the prepared pans. Top each pizza with 1/3 cup of the sauce.
• Mix the cheeses together and sprinkle 1/2 over top of each then season with Italian herbs or pizza seasoning.
• Bake the pizzas for 9 to 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted with a few golden brown spots and the edges/bottom of the crust are golden brown.
• Remove the pizzas from the oven and let set 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, cut into squares, sprinkle over chopped parsley and serve immediately.