Pizza Pepperoni

Pizza Pepperoni - Servings: 1 pizza

Pepperoni pizza is an American pizza variety that features one of the country's most beloved toppings. The term "pepperoni" is derived from the Italian word "peperoni" (with one "p"), which originally referred to a large pepper. However, it has now come to represent a spicy salami typically made from a blend of beef, pork, and spices.

The rise in popularity of pepperoni pizza began in the 1950s. Today, beef pepperoni pizza stands as the most widely preferred variety, although there are also alternatives like fish pepperoni pizza and port pepperoni pizza. While the preparation methods may vary from state to state, this pizza has become a staple across the United States and is typically crafted with mozzarella, tomato sauce, and pepperoni.

How to prepare Pizza Pepperoni

1. Make the base: Put the flour into a large bowl, then stir in the yeast and salt. Make a well, pour in 300 ml warm water and the olive oil and bring together with a wooden spoon until you have a soft, fairly wet dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 mins until smooth. To achieve the perfect consistency, when making the dough, keep some extra flour and water nearby to add if necessary. Cover with a tea towel and set aside. You can leave the dough to rise if you like, but it’s not essential for a thin crust.

See also step-by-step guide for making pizza dough

2. Roll out the dough: if you’ve let the dough rise, give it a quick knead, then split into a ball. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into large rounds, about 25cm across, using a rolling pin. The dough needs to be very thin as it will rise in the oven. Lift the rounds onto two floured baking sheets.

2. Make the sauce: stir together the ingredients: canned and fresh tomatoes can be used, can used sauces is from San Marzano tomatoes or a can of Contadina's Tomato Paste, black pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, granulated onion salted not too much, to taste, and mashed into a homogenous mixture.

See also step-by-step guide for making sauce

4. Top and bake: heat the oven to 460°C to 485°C fan/gas 8. Put another baking sheet or an upturned baking tray in the oven on the top shelf. Smooth sauce over bases with the back of a spoon. Scatter with cheese and pepperoni, drizzle with olive oil and season. Put one pizza, still on its baking sheet, on top of the preheated sheet or tray.

Bake for 20 minutes until crisp. Bake until cheese is bubbly and the underside of the crust is golden brown. Once the pizzas are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Sprinkle olive oil over the pizzas, just a little bit.

Repeat step for remaining pizza dough.

Slice the pizzas and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade Pizza Pepperoni!