PIZZA WITH COLD CUTS

Pizza with Cold Cuts – A Delicacy Cooked with Love

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Pizza with cold cuts is one of those recipes that brings a smile to your face and fills your heart with joy. It’s a perfect choice for a family dinner, a gathering with friends, or simply to pamper someone special. The fluffy dough, savory cold cuts, and melted cheese create a blend of flavors and textures that will delight your senses.

A Brief History of the Recipe
Pizza, in general, has evolved over the centuries, becoming a symbol of Italian cuisine, but each regional variant brings its own personal touch. Pizza with cold cuts is a delicious reinterpretation that combines tradition with a modern approach, ideal for those who want to experiment with readily available ingredients from their pantry.

Necessary Ingredients

For the dough:
- 250 ml warm water (about 37°C)
- 10 g fresh yeast or 2 g dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 500 g flour (ideally, type 00 flour for pizza)

For the topping:
- 200 g ketchup (or spicy sauce)
- 200 g cold cuts (salami, ham, sausages, etc.)
- 100 g pitted olives, sliced
- 200 g grated cheese
- 2 eggs (optional, for extra flavor)

Step by Step to Achieve a Perfect Result

1. Preparing the Dough
In a large bowl, combine warm water with yeast and sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step ensures the yeast is activated, which is essential for the dough to rise.

2. Adding Dry Ingredients
Add salt and olive oil, then gradually incorporate the flour. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. It’s important not to add all the flour at once; you may not need it all to achieve an elastic texture.

3. Kneading the Dough
On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it, as a dough that is too dry will lead to a dense pizza.

4. Letting the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a bowl greased with a little olive oil, cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. This step is crucial for achieving a fluffy and airy crust.

5. Preparing the Baking Tray
Preheat the oven to 220°C. Grease a pizza tray with olive oil to prevent sticking. If you don’t have a pizza tray, a regular baking tray will work just as well.

6. Shaping the Pizza
Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a clean surface and roll it out with a rolling pin into a circle or rectangle, depending on your preference. Place the dough in the prepared tray, making sure it reaches the edges.

7. Preparing the Topping
Use a fork to poke holes in the dough so it doesn’t puff up during baking. Cover the base with a generous layer of ketchup or spicy sauce, then add slices of cold cuts and sliced olives. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top.

8. Baking the Pizza
Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the pizza for 10 minutes, until the crust is golden and crispy.

9. Adding the Egg
After the first 10 minutes, remove the pizza from the oven and spread the beaten egg evenly over the entire surface. Alternatively, you can add fried eggs in places for a rustic look and delicious flavor. Put the pizza back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the egg is well cooked.

10. Serving
Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing it. You can serve the pizza with a fresh green salad or a cold beer to complete the culinary experience.

Practical Tips and Tricks

- Improving the Dough: If you want a more flavorful dough, you can add dried herbs like oregano or basil during kneading.
- Topping Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as mozzarella, feta, or goat cheese. You can add vegetables like peppers, onions, or mushrooms to diversify the recipe.
- Olives: Use green or black olives, depending on your preference. Kalamata olives add a more intense flavor.
- Other Drinks: Pizza pairs wonderfully with a light red wine, such as Merlot or a dry white wine. If you prefer non-alcoholic drinks, lemonade or iced tea are excellent choices.
- Calories and Nutritional Benefits: A serving of pizza with cold cuts has about 350-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used. Cold cuts provide protein, while cheese brings essential calcium for bones. However, consumed in moderation, pizza can be part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use dry yeast?
Yes, dry yeast is an excellent alternative. Use 2 g of dry yeast for every 10 g of fresh yeast.

2. How can I tell if the dough has risen well?
The dough is ready when it has doubled in size and looks slightly puffy. You can do a simple test: gently press your finger on the dough; if it retains its shape, it’s perfect.

3. What can I do if I don’t have enough time to let the dough rise?
You can use a quick dough recipe without yeast, but the texture will be different. Alternatively, let the dough rise in a warmer place, like next to a radiator.

Try this pizza with cold cuts recipe and bring joy to your kitchen. Whether you prepare it for a quiet evening at home or for a party with friends, it will surely become a quick favorite!

 Ingredients: classic pizza dough (that is warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, oil, flour), ketchup, spicy sauce or jarred stew from the pantry, various cold cuts, pitted olives, sliced, cheese or grated cheese, eggs