Pepper Crust Clam Pizza Recipes

CLAM PIZZA

Steps:

• Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Portion the pizza dough into six golf ball-size pieces; wrap four of the pieces in plastic and refrigerate for later use. Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the remaining two pieces of dough into your desired shape.
• Top the pizzas with the Sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan and banana peppers; transfer to the pizza stone and bake for 15 minutes. Top with the reserved clams from the Sauce.
• Add the warm water, yeast and sugar to a small bowl; stir to combine. Let sit until the water bubbles and smells very yeasty, 15 minutes.
• Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the olive oil and the yeast mixture. Using a fork, gradually stir most of the flour into the yeast mixture. Turn out the dough onto a flour-dusted work surface and knead until smooth.
• Lightly coat the mixing bowl with oil and return the dough to the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least 1 hour.
• Steam the clams in a medium pot. Remove the clams from their shells and chop half; reserve the other half for topping the pizzas.
• Sweat the onions in a pan with olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, garlic, crushed red pepper, a splash of water, the chopped clams and some salt. Bring to boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

WHITE CLAM PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the clams, the reserved clam juice, olive oil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. Set aside.
• Spread the pizza dough into a large oval on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and half of the Pecorino Romano. Scatter over the clam mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the dough.
• Bake until the crust is golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a cutting board and sprinkle over the remaining Pecorino Romano, some fresh oregano leaves and more red pepper flakes. Slice and serve.

PEPPER-CRUST CLAM PIZZA

Steps:

• Combine the yeast and the sugar with one-quarter cup of the water.
• Combine the remaining water with two and one-quarter cups of white flour and the whole-wheat flour, oil, salt and pepper. When the yeast mixture is foamy, add it to the flour mixture. Mix vigorously until it holds together as rough dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and let it rest while you clean, dry and then oil the bowl.
• Knead the dough a full 12 minutes, adding white flour as necessary to create a silky-smooth dough. Return it to the bowl and cover it with a double layer of plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for at least two hours (up to all day, if desired).
• Preheat the oven and two pizza stones dusted with cornmeal to 450 degrees.
• Punch the dough down and flatten it on a lightly floured board. Divide it in half. Pounding with the heel of your hand, methodically work one piece into a circle about 11 inches in diameter.
• Place the dough on a baker's peel that has been dusted with cornmeal, adding topping, and slide it onto a hot pizza stone. Repeat the process with the second half of the dough.
• Bake each pizza about 15 minutes, or until the crust is light brown.

WHITE CLAM PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Place a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet on the bottom rack.
• Mix the garlic and 1/4 cup olive oil in a small bowl. Knead the dough about 6 times on a lightly floured surface. Roll and stretch into a 12-inch round. Place the dough on a pizza peel, or another inverted baking sheet, dusted with cornmeal.
• Brush half of the garlic-oil over the dough; season with salt. Scatter the mozzarella and clams over the crust; drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the reserved clam juice and the remaining garlic-oil. Sprinkle with the oregano, parmesan, and salt to taste. Slip the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet (the cornmeal will help it slide off). Bake until the crust is light brown, 13 to 15 minutes.
• Just before the pizza is done, drizzle the arugula with olive oil and lemon juice. Slice the pizza; top each piece with arugula and season with red pepper flakes, if desired.

RED CLAM PIZZA

Steps:

• Spread pizza sauce over the surface of the crust, leaving a 1/4 inch border.
• Sprinkle with garlic slices and capers.
• Spoon clams evenly over top.
• Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
• Bake according to the directions for your chosen crust.
• Pass cheese at table for those who prefer it.

CLAM PIZZA WITH RED SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Add crushed tomatoes and season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer pizza sauce for about 20 minutes.
• While the sauce is simmering, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Brush pizza crust with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and spread with a thin layer of hot pizza sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend. Evenly sprinkle with clams, sun-dried tomatoes, pineapple, and basil. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 10 to 12 minutes.