Awesome Italian Braided Pizza Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl and stir until smooth. Microwave the sauce, stirring halfway through, until hot, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Put the pizza dough on a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough and sprinkle with the mozzarella and pepperoni pieces.
• Working from one long side, roll up the rectangle like a jelly roll and position it seam-side down on a cutting board. Use a paring knife to trim the ends of the dough log, then cut the log in half lengthwise. Lay the 2 halves cut-side up next to each other and twist them together into a tight loaf about 12 inches long.
• Transfer the twisted dough to the prepared baking sheet and brush gently all over with the egg mixture. Bake until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted in the center, 30 to 32 minutes. Transfer the braid to a cutting board, cut into slices and serve with the remaining pizza sauce for dipping.

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Gather and prep your ingredients.
• 3. Add the Italian sausage to a skillet, over medium heat.
• 4. Cook until browned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• 5. Remove from skillet and thoroughly drain on paper towels.
• 6. Chef's Note: Make sure that the sausage is completely drained.
• 7. Chef's Tip: To remove as much grease from the pepperoni as possible, I place them on a paper towel and put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds. The paper towel will absorb most of the oil.
• 8. Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c)
• 9. Add a piece of parchment paper to a large baking sheet, and lightly dust with some flour.
• 10. Roll out your pizza-crust dough to a 10 by 15 inch (25 by 40cm) rectangle.
• 11. Chef's Note: I use my own homemade pizza crust, but choose your favorite dough and go for it.
• 12. Cut slices into the pizza crust about 1 inch thick by three inches deep.
• 13. Lay the ham on the bottom of the pizza crust.
• 14. Add the Italian sausage.
• 15. Add the pizza sauce in a layer on top of the sausage.
• 16. Add some pepperoni.
• 17. Add a layer of cheese.
• 18. Braid the dish by placing one of the cut pieces over and on top of the other.
• 19. This is what the completed braided pizza should look like.
• 20. Brush the top of the braid with some oil, and sprinkle on a few herbs of your choice.
• 21. Add some cheese and pepperoni to the top of the braid.
• 22. Place the braided pizza into the preheated oven.
• 23. Allow to bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
• 24. Plate/Present
• 25. Cut into thick slices and serve while still nice and warm. Enjoy.
• 26. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

Steps:

• To make dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, and salt. Add water and stir until blended (the dough will be very sticky). Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 12 to 24 hours in a warm spot, about 70 degrees.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and sprinkle the top with flour. Fold the dough over on itself once or twice, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Shape the dough into 3 or 4 balls, depending on how thick you want the crust. Generously sprinkle a clean cotton towel with flour and cover the dough with it. Let the dough rise for 2 hours.
• To make sauce: Blanch tomato for 5 seconds in boiling water and quickly remove. Allow to cool to the touch. Peel the skin with your hands and quarter the tomato. Remove the jelly and seeds, and reserve in a strainer or fine sieve. Strain the jelly to remove seeds, and combine resulting liquid in a bowl with the flesh of the tomatoes. Proceed to crush the tomatoes with your hands. Add salt and olive oil and stir.
• To make pizza: Place pizza stone on the middle rack of the oven and preheat on high broil. Stretch or toss the dough into a disk approximately 10 inches in diameter. Pull rack out of oven and place the dough on top of the preheated pizza stone. Drizzle 5 generous tablespoons of sauce over the dough, and spread evenly. Try to keep the sauce about ½ inch away from the perimeter of the dough. Break apart or slice the buffalo mozzarella and arrange over the dough. Return rack and pizza stone to the middle of the oven and broil for approximately 6 minutes. Remove and top with basil, olive oil, and salt.

Steps:

• Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Cool completely. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 15x12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased baking sheet. Spread filling lengthwise down center third of rectangle. Sprinkle cheeses over filling. , On each long side, cut 1-1/2-in.-wide strips about 2-1/2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Brush with butter. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.