California pizza recipe

California Pizza Recipe
Make at home with easy and simple recipe


Dough:

1 cup lukewarm water
3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon sugar
2 packages yeast
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

Pesto:

2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons pine nuts
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
-----------------------------------------------
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 sweet red pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
1 green peppers, seeded and sliced into strips
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound garlic and fennel sausage or sweet Italian sausage
3 ounces goat cheese
10 ounces Mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons cornmeal

Prepare dough: Dissolve yeast in water and set aside. Mix
flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Make a "well" in the
center, pour in yeast solution and olive oil. Blend in the
flour using a fork, working towards the outside of teh well.
As dough becomes stiff, incorporate remaining flour by
hand. Gather into a ball and knead eight to ten minutes
on a floured board. Place in an oil-coated bowl, cover with
a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until
doubled in size, approximately two hours.

Prepare pesto sauce using a blender or food processor.
Combine all ingredients exceptp cheese. Process but do not
create a puree. Stir in cheese. Set side.

Saute onions and peppers in one tablespoon olive oil and
water in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently
until peppers are soft. Drain and set aside. Brown sausage,
breaking into pieces as it cooks. Drain off excess fat. Chop
coarsely and set aside.

Preheat overn to 375 degrees. Spread remaining olive oil
evently over a 12--inch pizza pan. Sprinkle with cornmeal.
Punch down pizza dough, flatten lightly with a rolling pin,
turn and flatten with fingers. Place dough in pan
and spread to edges with finertips. Bake five minutes.
Spread pesto sauce over dough. Crumble goat cheese evenly
over pesto. Add onions and peppers, sausage, and cheeses.

Bake 10 minutes or until crust is slightly brown and
cheese is bubbly..