Italian Pizza Recipes - Onion and Ham Pizza (Pizza di Cipolle e Pancetta) Recipe

Ingredients       

• 25 g/2 tbsp unsalted (sweet) butter plus 5 ml/1 tsp for greasing

• 225 g/8 oz/2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour

• 5 ml/1 tsp baking powder

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp chopped fresh sage

• 5 ml/1 tsp chopped fresh basil

• 50 g/2 oz/1/2 cup hard cheese, grated

• 150 ml/2/3 cup milk

Topping:

• 5 ml/1 tsp oil

• 2 large onions, sliced in rings

• 5 ml/1 tsp chopped fresh oregano

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 50 g/2 oz Parma ham, cut in strips

• 225 g/8 oz Mozzarella, sliced

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Method:

1. Grease a large baking sheet with the 5 ml/1 tsp butter and set aside.

2. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper into a mixing bowl and stir in the sage and basil.

3. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the cheese and enough milk to form a soft dough.

4. Turn the dough out on to a floured board and knead lightly. Roll out to a 25 cm/10 in circle.

5. Lift the dough on to the prepared baking sheet and prepare the topping.

6. Heat the oil in a frying pan (skillet) and cook the onion rings for 2 minutes. Scatter over the oregano, salt and pepper.

7. Add the Parma ham strips and top with the cheese. Cook the pizza for 15-20 minutes in a preheated oven at 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7 until crisp and golden.