Bacon pizza

Bacon Pizza – A Delicious Recipe for Special Moments

Who doesn't love a delicious slice of pizza? This bacon pizza recipe brings the joy of preparing a tasty meal at home, perfect for a movie night, a gathering with friends, or simply to indulge after a long day. In this recipe, we will combine simple ingredients with the enticing flavors of bacon and mushrooms, resulting in a crispy and flavorful pizza.

Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Fermentation time: 20 minutes
- Baking time: 20 minutes
- Total: 55 minutes
- Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Dough:
- 300 g flour (type 00 is ideal for a fine texture)
- 3 g dry yeast (or 10 g fresh yeast)
- 50 ml warm milk (close to body temperature)
- 20 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 10 g sugar (to activate the yeast)
- 5 g salt (to balance the flavor)

For the Topping:
- 200 g cheese (preferably one with a high fat content for perfect melting)
- 150 g bacon (diced)
- 100 g canned mushrooms (well drained)
- 100 g tomatoes (fresh or canned, sliced)
- 50 g pitted olives (black or green, as preferred)
- 200 g tomato puree (or tomato sauce)
- 5 g dried thyme (or fresh if available)
- Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Dough
1. In a large bowl, mix the yeast with the warm milk, sugar, and salt. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it starts to bubble, indicating that the yeast is active.
2. Add the olive oil and gradually incorporate the flour. Mix with a spatula or your hands until the dough becomes homogeneous.
3. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes. If it feels too sticky, add a little flour, but be careful not to overdo it, as too dry dough will result in a less fluffy pizza.
4. Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Preparing the Sauce
1. In a small bowl, mix the tomato puree with thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. This will be the sauce that adds a savory flavor to the pizza.

Step 3: Assembling the Pizza
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (or 200°C with convection). This step is important to ensure even baking and a crispy crust.
2. On a baking tray, lay down parchment paper. Take the risen dough and roll it out with a rolling pin until you achieve a thin sheet. Ensure the edges are slightly thicker to form a crust.
3. Spread the prepared tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small distance at the edges.
4. Evenly distribute the diced bacon, mushrooms, olives, and sliced tomatoes. These ingredients will add extra flavor and texture to the pizza.
5. Grate the cheese over the topping, ensuring that you cover all the ingredients well.

Step 4: Baking
1. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. After this period, check the pizza: the crust should be golden, and the cheese melted.
2. If you want a crispier crust, let the pizza bake for another 5 minutes.
3. Once the pizza is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Serving Suggestions
Bacon pizza is best served hot, alongside a fresh salad or a yogurt dip with herbs. You can also add some chili flakes for an extra kick, if desired.

Variations and Tips
- Vary the Topping: You can also add other ingredients like bell peppers, red onion, or even pineapple for a sweet note.
- Vegetarian Pizza: Replace bacon with tempeh or marinated tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Alternative Dough: If you want to experiment, try a whole wheat dough or a gluten-free variant.
- Recommended Drinks: A refreshing blonde beer or a light red wine are excellent to accompany this pizza.

Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: approximately 450 kcal
- Protein: 20 g
- Fats: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the amount of water, as whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.

2. How can I store the pizza?
The pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can reheat it in the oven to regain its crispy texture.

3. What can I do if the dough doesn't rise?
Make sure the yeast is fresh. If the dough doesn't rise, it’s likely that the temperature wasn’t warm enough or the yeast wasn’t activated correctly.

Bacon pizza is more than just a simple recipe; it's an opportunity to gather family and friends around the table to enjoy a delicious meal full of flavor and joy. Don't forget to leave a comment about how your pizza turned out! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: Dough: 300 g flour, 3 g yeast, 50 ml warm milk, 20 ml olive oil, 10 g sugar. Filling: cheese, bacon, tomatoes, pitted olives, canned mushrooms, onion, thyme.