Authentic Italian

This is an American-Italian favorite! With its basic pizza roots from Naples, this kind of pizza can be found in many New York Italian Pizza restaurants. It is a savory and delicious snack or it can be a full meal. Follow my Pizza Dough instructions in my earlier posts for an easy crust recipe as well as my quick Marinara sauce. Gather your toppings and you've got a great pizza slice! Recipe Ingredients 1 tbs. unsalted butter 1/2 Ib. mild, Italian sausage, not links 1/2 recipe homemade pizza dough or store bought 1/2 cup Marinara sauce (see my recipe) 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until brown, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and set aside. 2. Roll out pizza dough to a 14 to 16" round (depending on baking sheet or stone), and place on baking sheet or stone. Use flour if needed. 3. Bake dough for 5 minutes. Carefully remove crust from oven. 4. Top with a thin ...

This classic Margherita pizza made with fresh, basic ingredients, is a staple in Neapolitan culture. The common traits of this pizza are its thin crust and soft center combined with the flavors tomato, mozzarella, and basil. This is a delicious summer recipe and can be easily made on a grill. In the winter months, it is best prepared in an extra hot oven. Recipe Ingredients 1 12-inch round pizza dough (you can use my pizza dough recipe for this.) 3 tbs. tomato sauce (you can use my fast marinara for this or any tomato sauce you prefer) Extra-virgin olive oil 2 3/4 oz. fresh mozzarella Basil leaves Instructions 1. Place a pizza stone on the middle rack of your oven and turn heat to its highest setting - 450 degrees should work. Let it heat for about an hour. If using a cookie sheet, you can assemble the pizza right on the sheet before putting it in the oven. 2. Spread the sauce in a circular motion in the center of the stretched dough and use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly acro...

Pizza is a classic American and Italian dish, made in an array of different varieties. Every person should have a good, solid pizza recipe for when making homemade pizza. This recipe does not disappoint. It makes a great, crispy dough. Recipe Ingredients 1 tsp. active dry yeast 1 tsp. sugar 1 tbs. extra virgin olive oil 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp. kosher salt Instructions 1. Mix the yeast, sugar, and olive oil into 1 1/4 cups warm water and let it sit until bubbly, about 3 minutes. Put 3 cups of flour in a mixer fitted with a dough hook and add the salt. 2. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix at medium speed until a rough, sticky dough forms. Add a little more water and flour when necessary. Let it rest for 5 minutes in the mixer, then mix on low until no longer sticky. 3. Oil your hands if desired and knead until very smooth, about 30 seconds. Transfer to an oiled bowl and refrigerate covered for at least 4 hours or overnight, if not using right away.

Italian Pizzagaina is a staple Italian treat traditionally eaten during the Easter season. It is similar to a meat pie and includes ricotta, basket cheese and cured meats. It originated in the 17th century in Naples, Italy and is unlike any other kind of "pizza" you will eat. This can be eaten at any time of day as an appetizer, part of a meal or even after a meal. It is also the perfect breakfast or mid-day snack. This recipe in particular is an altered version that my grandmother makes every Easter. It is easy to do and absolutely delicious. Recipe Ingredients 1 stick dry sausage or salami 2 Ib. ham 3 Ib. Ricotta 1 basket cheese 1 cup grated cheese 1 1/2 dozen eggs 3 tbs. parsley 4 1/2 cups Bisquick 1/2 cup oil Instructions 1. First, cut up all of your meats into cubes and chop up parsley. You can use whatever cured meats you like. We like to use ham and salami in my family. You can also cube some provolone cheese if you like.  2. Mix eggs, grated cheese, oil and chopped pa...