Fried Neopolitan Pizzas

Name: Fried Neopolitan Pizzas
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1 (1/4-oz) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons); 1 1/2 cup warm water (105-115°F); 1 1 teaspoon salt; 1 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading and dusting; 1 About 5 cups olive oil; 1 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 5 garlic cloves, 2 crushed and 3 minced; 1 2 lb plum tomatoes, halved, seeded, and finely chopped; 1 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 6 oz fresh mozzarella (not unsalted), cut into 1/4-inch dice; 1 1 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup); 1 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or loosely packed small whole basil leaves; 1 a deep-fat thermometer

From the kitchen of Carly

Crispy-edged fried pizzas with a pillow of tender dough inside, topped with a bright, garlicky tomato sauce. These are Neapolitan flavors reimagined in hot oil, delivering that satisfying contrast between shatteringly fried exterior and cloud-soft crumb.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

11 (1/4-oz) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
11/2 cup warm water (105-115°F)
11 teaspoon salt
11 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading and dusting
1About 5 cups olive oil
11/4 cup olive oil
15 garlic cloves, 2 crushed and 3 minced
12 lb plum tomatoes, halved, seeded, and finely chopped
11/2 teaspoon salt
11/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 oz fresh mozzarella (not unsalted), cut into 1/4-inch dice
11 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup)
12 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or loosely packed small whole basil leaves
1a deep-fat thermometer

Instructions

Stir together yeast and water in a measuring cup and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)
Stir together salt and 1 cup flour in a large bowl, then add yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir until smooth. Stir in just enough remaining flour (1/4 to 1/2 cup) for dough to come away from side of bowl.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead, sprinkling with just enough flour to keep dough from sticking, until smooth, soft, and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Dust dough all over with flour and put in a bowl. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Heat oil (1/4 cup) in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat until hot, then cook crushed garlic, stirring, until pale golden, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and increase heat to moderately high, then cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Discard crushed garlic if desired.
Put cheeses, basil, and minced garlic in separate bowls and keep, covered, at room temperature until ready to use.
Heat 1 inch oil in a deep 12- to 13-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until it registers 350°F on thermometer.
While oil heats, divide dough into 8 portions and stretch each portion with floured hands, pressing on work surface, to form 4-inch rounds (don't worry if they are irregularly shaped).
Fry rounds 2 at a time, turning over once with tongs, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per batch, and transfer to a paper-towel-lined platter to drain. (Return oil to 350°F between batches.)
Spread each fried dough round with some sauce and sprinkle with toppings. Pizza should be eaten immediately, folded in half.