Pizza a la Tony

For those of you who do not live in Sweden, it may seem strange but pizza is as Swedish as it gets.  I saw in a documentary on Swedish food culture that pizza was brought over during the mid 1970's.  Now pizza is common place in pretty much every city and town.  Smaller cities that don't have sushi have pizza, cities that don't have Mexican or Thai food have pizza.  Pizza has become so big in Sweden that it is everywhere, almost to the point where it is EVERYWHERE.  For example in our little neighborhood we have four pizzarias with a 3 to 5 minute walk from each other (unfortunately none of them are great).  Do not get me wrong, the are a lot of great pizzarias in Stockholm just not in my neighborhood.

Pizza is actually easy to make.  It's a fun thing to do with the kids if you have the time and patience.    Another great thing about making your own is that you can put toppings on that maybe your local pizza joint doesn't carry.

To start make the dough.  You can even make the dough the night before to save time.

DOUGH

50g yeast

5 dl water

1 dl olive oil

12 dl flour

2 tblsp salt

In a food processor blend the yeast with room temperature water and olive oil.  Let it work for 1 or 2 minutes.  Add half the flour, let it work for 2 minutes.  Add salt and the rest of the flour.  Let it work for 15 minutes.  Then place a towel over the dough and let it rise, should take about 30 minutes.  Then take out the dough and make tennis size balls.  Place a wet towel over the dough/balls and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

While the yeast is doing it's thing make the tomato sauce.

TOMATO SAUCE

1 yellow onion

4 slices of red chili

3 garlic gloves

2 tblsp olive oil

1 bunch oregeno

1 tblsp sugar

2 cans whole tomato

salt / pepper

Sear the onion, chili, garlic and oregeno in olive oil.  Pour in the tomatos, let it cook for 15-20 minutes.  Season with salt, pepper and suger.  Mix it with hand mixer or blender.  Let it cool down.  

my kids made their own pizza tonight

Shape the dough into small pizzas.  Put on a warm baking tray.  Pour on sauce and garnish with your topping, cheese etc.  Today we used chedder and mozzarella,  olives, prociutto and mushrooms on one pizza and on the other goat cheese, mushrooms, figs and walnuts.  If using dried meats like prociutto I recommend placing it on the pizza when it is done same with ruccula, spinach and basil.