This star-shaped, cheese stuffed crust pizza is a mouthful to say, but it is absolutely delicious. I always found the star-shaped at pizza restaurants to be super fun, but actually never got the chance to try them. What better way to introduce myself to its taste than a homemade one. Though shape doesn't affect the taste, it makes eating one of my favorite foods even more exciting. And the cherry on top? Each star tip is stuffed with mozzarella cheese for even more goodness!
Ingredients
For the dough:
2 1/2 cups (270g) all purpose flour
1 teaspoon (3g) instant yeast
2 teaspoon (8g) granulated sugar
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons (27g) olive oil
1 cup (250ml) warm water
For the sauce:
8 oz tomato sauce
1 onion, quartered
2 garlic cloves, roughly smashed
2 teaspoons (2g) dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (1g) paprika
Salt and pepper
For the toppings:
8oz whole mozzarella cheese
8oz shredded mozzarella cheese
For. the garlic crust topping:
3-4 tablespoons (40-50g) olive oil
1 teaspoon (3g) garlic powder
1 teaspoon (3g) onion powder
Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
Add the oil into the warm water. Pour half of the water mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until most of the liquid has been incorporated.
Add the remaining water mixture and mix just until a rough dough has begun to form. Dust your work surface with flour and turn the dough out.
Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until a smooth dough has formed and no dry flour remains. Brush the large bowl with a little olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap and rest in a warm spot for 1 hour.
In the meantime, prep your pizza sauce. Pour the tomato sauce into a medium sized saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion, garlic, oregano, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Preheat the oven to 450 F (232 C). Place an inverted baking tray inside.
After the dough has rested, lightly flour your surface. Turn the dough out and roll out into an 14-16 inch circle. Transfer the dough onto a large parchment paper sheet. Using a knife or pizza cutter, make eight, 2 inch incisions around the edge of the pizza base. Think of the dough like a clock and dividing it equally into 8 even parts.
Place about a thumb-sized piece of mozzarella cheese in all eight sections in between the incisions. Pick up the two corners of one section and bring them into the middle of that section to form a triangle. Repeat for all sections.
Pour about 2 full ladles of the tomato sauce onto the middle of the dough and spread evenly around. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella all over. Add any other toppings such as pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, etc.
In a small bowl, add all the ingredients for the garlic crust topping and mix together. Using a pastry brush, brush the oil mixture onto each triangle section.
Remove the inverted baking tray from the oven. Slide the parchment paper with the pizza dough onto the tray and return into the oven. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and eating.
Enjoy, and satisfy your craving!
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