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–+ servings

Potato Pizza

Adapted from My Bread: The Revolutionary No-Work, No-Knead Method by Jim Lahey with Rick Flaste
I didn't try this with all-purpose flour but King Arthur Flourcompany did a comparison between the two in baking projects, and their answer is "Yes...in a pinch." Frankly, the dough is so easy that you'll probably be making other pizzas with this dough, so it's worth getting a bag of bread flour. (It's called farine à pain, in France, or you can use T65 flour and add a teaspoon of vital wheat gluten per cup/140g, which you can find in natural food stores.) I did try baking this on a pizza steel which is amazing for baking regular free-form round pizzas directly on it, but here, you don't necessarily want a very crisp cracker-like crust, so I found I preferred it baked not on a baking steel. It could be fun to try this with adding crumbled blue cheese (maybe) midway during baking, or even diced bacon. If you do, let us know in the comments how they work out. You'll note that I gave the dough recipe in weights, which is easier to multiply if you decide to make enough dough for two pizzas. According to Jim Lahey, the dough can be stored overnight in the refrigerator in a lightly oiled freezer bag, or frozen for up to 1 month. So you can make a double batch of the dough at the same time, and save one for later if you wish.
Servings 8 slices

For the no-knead crust

  • 250 grams (1 3/4 cups, plus 2 tablespoons) bread flour
  • 5 grams (1 1/4 teaspoons) instant or active dry yeast
  • 2.5 grams (scant 1/2 teaspoon) salt
  • 1.5 grams (1/2 teaspoon) sugar
  • 150 grams (2/3 cup) tepid water, plus about 1 tablespoon more, if necessary

For the pizza

  • 1 quart (1l) tepid water
  • 4 teaspoons (25g) salt
  • 2 pounds (900g) Yukon gold potatoes , (about 6 to 8 potatoes, depending on size)
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
  • Mix the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add 2/3 cup/150g of tepid water and stir until smooth. If the dough feels very dry and isn't coming together smoothly, mix in a scant tablespoon of water. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let rise until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
  • To prepare the potatoes, mix the 1 quart of tepid water with the salt in a large bowl, stirring to dissolve the salt. Use a mandoline or a chef's knife to slice them as thinly as possible. As you cut them, put them into the salted water so they don't discolor. Let soak for at least an hour at room temperature. (They can be done up to 12 hours in advance, and refrigerated.)
  • When ready to bake the pizza, preheat the oven to 475º or 500ºF (245º - 260ºC), depending on how high your oven will go. Put the rack in the center of the oven. Lightly oil a baking sheet that's approximately 13- by 18 inches (33 x 46cm.)
  • On a lightly-floured countertop, roll the dough into a ball. Cover with a damp towel and let rest 30 minutes.
  • Put the pizza dough on the center of the baking sheet, floured side up, and stretch it lengthwise down the center of the baking sheet, using your hands to coax it in both directions. Then use your hands to stretch the dough towards the edges of the pan. If the dough is too stretchy and elastic, let it rest for 5 minutes, and continue. The dough will likely tear in places; simply pinch those parts back together and continue. Stretch the dough until it's about 1 inch (3cm) away from the edges of the pan. (You'll notice that in the picture of the post, I stretched the first one that I tested all the way to the edges but found I liked the dough a little thicker, so the second time, I didn't stretch it as far.)
  • Drain the potatoes well and squeeze out as much water as you can without breaking the slices. Put the slices in a bowl and mix them with the diced onion, plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and the olive oil.
  • Spread the potato mixture over the top of the pizza dough, making the layer of potatoes closer to the edges a little thicker. Sprinkle the rosemary on top and bake the pizza until the potatoes start to brown and the crust is golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on the heat of your oven. But check before the recommended baking times as this pizza is best if it's not overly crisp.