PUTTANESCA PIZZA RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to its lowest setting.
• You will need a pizza stone or solid baking sheet measuring 14 x 11 inches (35 x 28 cm).
• Warm the flour slightly in the oven for about 10 minutes, then turn the oven off. Sift the flour, salt, yeast and sugar into a bowl and make a well in the centre of the mixture, then add the olive oil and pour in 4 fl oz (120 ml) hand-hot water.
• Now mix to a dough, starting off with a wooden spoon and using your hands in the final stages of mixing. Wipe the bowl clean with the dough, adding a spot more water if there are any dry bits left, and transfer it to a flat work surface (there shouldn't be any need to flour this). Knead the dough for 3 minutes or until it develops a sheen and blisters under the surface (it should also be springy and elastic). You can now either leave the dough on the surface covered by the upturned bowl or transfer the dough to a clean bowl and cover it with clingfilm that has been lightly oiled on the side that is facing the dough.
• Leave it until it looks as though it has doubled in bulk, which will be about an hour at room temperature.
• Meanwhile make the sauce: heat the oil in a medium saucepan, then add the garlic and chilli and cook briefly until the garlic is pale gold. Then add all the other sauce ingredients, stir and season with a little pepper – but no salt because of the anchovies.
• Turn the heat to low and let the sauce simmer very gently without a lid for 40 minutes, by which time it will have reduced to a lovely, thick mass with very little liquid left.
• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 8, 450°F (230°C), along with the pizza stone or baking sheet.
• The next stage is to tip the dough back on to a work surface that has been sprinkled generously with polenta to prevent it from sticking. Knock all the air out of the dough and knead it for a couple of seconds to begin shaping it into a ball.
• Then dust your rolling pin with polenta and roll the dough out to a circle that is approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm) in diameter. Then finish stretching it out with your hands, working from the centre and using the flat of your fingers to push the dough out; it doesn't need to be a perfect round, but you want it to be a fairly thin-based pizza, with slightly raised edges. Place the uncooked base to one side.
• Then, using a thick oven glove, very carefully lift the baking sheet or pizza stone out of the oven and sprinkle it with the polenta (cornmeal). Spread the sauce over the pizza base, taking it up to the raised edge, then carefully lift it on to the hot baking sheet or pizza stone. Now scatter the Mozzarella over, then dip the basil leaves in the olive oil and place them here and there on top. Bake the pizza on a high shelf for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and crusty. Use an oven glove to remove it from the oven, then garnish with the extra basil.

Steps:

• For the mediterranean spice blend: Break up the rosemary and lavender flowers with a mortar and pestle. Mix together with the basil, chervil, oregano, savory, shallots, tarragon, thyme and garlic. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
• For the dough: Combine the warm water, sugar and the yeast and let sit until foamy, 5 minutes. Mix the cake flour and sea salt in the bowl of a mixer with a dough hook, then add the foamy mixture and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Knead on low speed for 10 minutes, and then transfer to an oiled bowl and cover. Leave at room temperature for 2 hours. Divide into smaller balls. Let rise again, covered, for 1 hour.
• For the sauce: Start by infusing the olive oil with the garlic by slowly heating together in a stockpot until the garlic is lightly browned. Remove from the heat and add the rosemary. Let infuse for 10 minutes.
• Cook the onions gently in the infused oil until translucent. Add the oregano, sugar, chili flakes, thyme, tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste and 1 tablespoon of the Mediterranean spice blend. Bring to a simmer for 1 hour, stirring so the sauce does not scorch or stick.
• Remove from the heat and add the basil leaves. Puree in a blender while still warm, adjusting the consistency with tomato juice or stock. Finish with salt and black pepper to taste. Add more sugar if it is too acidic. Set aside 1/4 cup for the pizza, and use or freeze the rest for another recipe.
• For the pizza: Place a pizza stone on the bottom shelf of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Fry the sausage over medium heat until browned. Toss together the carrots, onions, bell peppers, olive and some salt and black pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.
• Turn the oven to 450 to 500 degrees F. Roll out the pizza dough and brush with olive oil. Spoon over the reserved sauce and top with the goat cheese and basil leaves (put under the other ingredients or they will discolor and dry out). Finish with the chicken, capers, olives, tomatoes and Parmesan. Bake the pizza on the pizza stone until the crust is browned or lightly charred on the edges and crisp throughout, 10 to 15 minutes.