Making Asiago Steak Pizza With A Homemade, Whole Wheat Crust
Pizza delivery is delicious and conveninet, but sometimes your want something a little different. Why not make your own pizza at home? Instead of the standard red sauce and cheese variety, consider making this scrumptious Asiago cheese and steak pizza, complete with a whole wheat crust made from scratch. The amazing combination of crunch and flavor will make Italians and non-Italian everywhere swoon.
Here are the ingredients you'll need for the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (approximately 110 degrees F)
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1 1/2-2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 packet active, dry yeast
And here are the ingredients you need for the toppings:
- 8 ounces sirloin steak, sliced thinly
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, minced
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 2 cups grated Asiago cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Follow these steps to make your pizza:
Step 1: Mix up the dough.
Start by pouring the water, yeast, and white sugar into a large mixing bowl. Let the ingredients sit for 5 minutes without disturbing them. The yeast should dissolve and create a frothy mixture. When this occurs, pour the bread flour, olive oil, and salt into the bowl, and stir by hand until the flour is completely moistened. Then, slowly add 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour to the dough while stirring.
Turn the dough out onto a surface that has been sprinkled with some additional whole wheat flour. Knead in more flour, up to 1/2 cup, until the dough is no longer sticky. This should take about 5 minutes in total.
Step 2: Let the dough rise.
Line a bowl with a little olive oil, plop the dough ball inside, and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise for 1 1/2 hours, during which time it should double in size.
Step 3: Prepare the toppings.
You can do this while the dough is rising. Start by seasoning the steak strips with the salt and cayenne pepper. Heat a drizzle of the olive oil in a saucepan, and place the steak in the pan. Saute until browned, and remove from the pan.
Add the remaining oil to the pan, and then place the sliced onions into the pan as well. Saute for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned, and then add the garlic and saute for 1 minute longer. Set the onions and garlic aside with the steak.
Step 4: Shape the crust.
Take the risen, stretchy dough, and form it into a large crust about 14 inches in diameter. Lay this out on a pizza pan that has been lightly dusted with flour.
Step 5: Top the pizza.
Spread the Caesar dressing over the pizza, leaving about 1/2 inch margin all along the edge of the crust. Then, spread the Asiago cheese over the top of the dressing. Scatter the onions, garlic, and steak over top of the cheese. Then, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the edges of the crust. Be careful not to get it on the pan, as it may burn.
Step 6: Bake your pizza.
Place your pizza in a preheated 400 degree F oven. Make sure the rack is towards the center of the oven. Bake for 20 - 22 minutes or until the bottom of the crust is lightly browned and the cheese is bubbly. Remove from the oven, and let the pizza rest for 10 minutes before slicing so that all of the cheese does not run off.