Alex Guarnaschelli’s PAN-FRIED PIZZAS.
Recipe courtesy of Alex Guarnaschelli

Pan-Fried Pizzas

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 30 min
  • Active: 1 hr 10 min
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
“Homemade pizza doesn’t have to be pizzeria-perfect—it just has to be delicious! I love that these are a bit free-form. I usually organize all the toppings, then fry up the crusts and pass them around to friends. I’ll put a plate down, turn back around and it’s empty!”

Ingredients

For the Pizzas:

For the Pizzeria "Salt"

Directions

  1. Make the balsamic glaze: In a small saucepan, bring the balsamic vinegar to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until it is reduced by two-thirds and syrupy, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
  2. Shape the crusts: On a flat, lightly floured surface, divide the dough into quarters. Roll each into a loose ball. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest 10 to 15 minutes. Gently stretch or roll out each ball of dough into an 8-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Set aside, covering with the towel or plastic wrap.
  3. Cook the crusts: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the thyme sprigs; cook until crispy, 2 minutes. Transfer the sprigs to a paper towel–lined plate; let cool. Pick off the leaves and reserve.
  4. Increase the heat to medium. Working with 1 dough round at a time, gently place the dough flat in the hot oil. Cook until the underside is browned and the edges are crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Use tongs to flip the dough to the other side, taking care as the oil is hot and can splatter. Cook until the crust looks crispy, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the crust to a rack set on a sheet pan. Repeat with the remaining dough, adding and heating up to 2 more tablespoons olive oil in the skillet as needed between batches.
  5. In a medium bowl, toss the tomatoes with some salt and pepper; set aside. In a separate medium bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, garlic, fried thyme leaves and salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Make the pizzeria “salt”: Combine the Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper flakes in another bowl. (Note that this “salt” has no actual salt!)
  7. Assemble the pizzas: Transfer the 4 crusts to a board. Use the back of a spoon to spread the ricotta mixture evenly on top. Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle with the basil and some pizzeria “salt.” Drizzle with the balsamic glaze. Top with the tomatoes.
  8. Slice each pizza with a pizza cutter or serrated knife. Serve immediately with another drizzle of balsamic and a generous sprinkle of parmesan and pizzeria “salt.”