Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

Now that I’m cooking for one, shopping, and cooking have changed. I’m still trying to keep the food as interesting and varied as before, but in smaller portions. This blog keeps me motivated! Instead of using a big pizza pan, I used a cast iron skillet, a perfect size and what a delicious crust was created! I used some leftover sourdough starter that I had in the refrigerator. I have also included a non-sour dough recipe below in the suggestions. In the freezer section of many supermarkets is pizza dough frozen and ready to roll out, if you want ease and speed. Looking ahead to Super Bowl, this is a great meal or snack for those watching the game alone or with 1 other person. Recipe multiplies easily and can also be made in a regular (and larger) pizza pan. The result was very pretty and super delish! I included picture os each stage to make this process easier. Well worth the effort!

Foodie Lit

Review & Recipe

Murder, antiques, a Scottish House Hotel and an assortment of eccentric characters from the Isle of Glenroth, all suspects in this copycat murder from 200 years before, make A Dream of Death a mystery you won’t want to miss. With a northern Scottish setting, of course you’ll expect a visit from Bonnie Prince Charlie! Connie Berry’s grandparents come from Scotland and she has visited many times. You can feel her appreciation and knowledge of this country with every page. A lover of tea, I was so glad to be able to include an afternoon tea favorite: Lavender Poppy Seed Cake, perfect to munch on while you try to figure out this cozy who-done-it.

Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

Sour Dough Crust

1 cup starter with 1/4 teaspoon yeast

1 1/2 cup bread flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup warm water

1 teaspoon olive oil

Topping

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 cup marinara sauce, homemade or commercial

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan or Romano

In a large mixing bowl, mix ingredients together until dough comes away from edge of bowl. Add additional flour if needed.
Knead dough on floured surface unless smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Add more flour if sticky.
Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, turning once to cover surface with the oil. Cover with towel or plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes in a warm draft free place or until doubled in size.
Punch down and let rest for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 450F.
With a rolling pin or with your hands, spread the dough to the size of the bottom of the skillet. Drizzle a bit of olive oil on the bottom of the skillet. Sprinkle cornmeal on top.
Pat the dough into the bottom of the skillet. Brush top with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs.
Spread marinara sauce on top.
Sauté onions, bell pepper and garlic in a pan in 1 tablespoon olive oil, over medium heat, for about 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. Evenly place on top of marinara.
Sprinkle cheeses on top. Place cast iron skillet in oven on upper shelf and bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cast iron skillet handles will be hot, so be careful and use oven mitts or a potholder! Remove skillettt from oven and let cool for a few minutes.
With a pizza cutter, cut pizza into 8 pieces and serve.