California Pizza:

California Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

For the Toppings:

• 1/2 cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese
• 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup sliced avocado
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until it becomes frothy.
2. In a large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

2. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up as well.

3. Shape the Dough:

• Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and let them rest for 10 minutes.
• On a floured surface, roll out one dough ball into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Assemble the Pizza:

1. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
2. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and fontina cheeses evenly over the sauce.
3. Top with sliced chicken breast, red onion, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, and black olives.
4. Sprinkle dried oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using) over the toppings and drizzle with olive oil.

5. Bake the Pizza:

• Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven (or onto the hot pizza stone) and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

6. Garnish and Serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, slice, and serve hot.

Enjoy your delicious homemade California pizza!