- 4
- 150 mins
- 170 mins
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110-115 F)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- For shaping:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- For the sauce:
- 1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano Tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the toppings:
- 1 large eggplant
- Salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 pound (8 ounces) whole milk shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh basil
Preparation
Step 1
To proof the yeast, add the warm water and 2 teaspoons sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk to combine. Sprinkle the dry yeast on top, whisk briefly, then let sit for 15 minutes until it foams up.
Add the 2 teaspoons salt and 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Using the dough hook attachment, mix for 30 seconds to combine. With the mixer running on low, slowly add the flour. Once no dry flour remains visible, increase the speed to high and knead for 7-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulling away from the sides of the bowl. It may still be sticking to the bottom. Drizzle the top with olive oil, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise for 2 hours.
While the dough is rising, make the sauce: combine the tomatoes, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender and pulse several times until combined and smooth. Set aside.
Then, cut the top and bottom off of the eggplant and cut into ¼” thick long strips. Season each piece generously with salt on both sides and let sit in a colander for 45 minutes until the eggplant releases its moisture. Rinse with cold water to remove the excess salt and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.
In a heavy skillet (we like cast iron), heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sear the eggplant on either side for 2-3 minutes until lightly charred. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, add more oil if necessary and repeat with the remaining pieces. Set aside.
To cook, preheat the oven to 525 F with a rack in the middle. Pour ¼ cup of olive oil onto a rimmed baking sheet and spread around with your fingers. Empty the dough onto the pan, drizzle the tip with the remaining oil and using the tips of your fingers, press and stretch the dough so it reaches every corner of the pan. It may seem like a lot of oil but you want this so the dough gets crispy. If you find the dough not stretching, let it sit for 5 minutes to relax, then continue stretching.
Stretch the dough for Sicilian Pan Pizza using your hands
Top with ½ – ¾ cup of the sauce, using your fingers to spread it into a thin layer.
Spread the sauce for Sicilian Pan Pizza with your hands
Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the entire pizza.
Sprinkle the cheese on top of the Sicilian Pan Pizza
Then, top with the sliced onion and seared eggplant.
Top the Sicilian Pan Pizza with sliced red onion and seared eggplant
Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. When it comes out of the oven, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.