Canestrato d'Aspromonte Pizza Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pre-made pizza crust
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded Canestrato d'Aspromonte cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup sliced red onions
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Special equipment needed:
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Pizza cutter

Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Place the pre-made pizza crust on a pizza stone or baking sheet.
3. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza crust.
4. Sprinkle the shredded Canestrato d'Aspromonte cheese over the tomato sauce.
5. Add the sliced black olives, red onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, and pepperoni on top of the cheese.
6. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle the chopped fresh basil on top.
8. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.


- Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 12-15 minutes
Temperature:
- 425°F
Serving size:
- 4 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories per serving: 320
- Total fat: 14g
- Saturated fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 760mg
- Total carbohydrates: 32g
- Dietary fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 16g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Canestrato d'Aspromonte cheese can be substituted with any other hard cheese such as Parmesan or Pecorino Romano.
- Black olives can be substituted with green olives or omitted entirely.
- Red onions can be substituted with yellow onions or shallots.
- Mushrooms can be substituted with any other vegetable such as zucchini or eggplant.
- Pepperoni can be substituted with any other meat such as sausage or bacon.

Variations:
- Add additional toppings such as artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or anchovies.
- Use a different type of cheese such as mozzarella or goat cheese.
- Make a white pizza by omitting the tomato sauce and using a garlic and olive oil base instead.

Tips and tricks:
- Preheat the pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven before placing the pizza on it for a crispy crust.
- Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice the pizza into even slices.
- Serve the pizza with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Storage instructions:
- Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- Reheat leftover pizza in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the pizza on a wooden cutting board or pizza stone for a rustic look.
- Garnish the pizza with additional fresh basil leaves or grated cheese.

Garnishes:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated cheese

Pairings:
- Serve the pizza with a glass of red wine such as Chianti or Sangiovese.

Suggested side dishes:
- Caesar salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the crust is not crispy enough, bake the pizza for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- If the cheese is not melted enough, broil the pizza for 1-2 minutes.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure to cook the pizza to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is safe to eat.
- Store any leftover pizza in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking.

Food history:
- Canestrato d'Aspromonte is a hard cheese made from sheep's milk in the Aspromonte mountains of southern Italy.

Flavor profiles:
- The Canestrato d'Aspromonte cheese adds a nutty and slightly salty flavor to the pizza, while the vegetables and pepperoni add a savory and slightly sweet taste.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve the pizza hot and fresh out of the oven for the best flavor and texture.

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Region: Italian

Taste: Savory, Tangy, Cheesy, Herbal, Aromatic, Nutty