Pizza Rustica di Vallelunga

Pizza Rustica di Vallelunga by marishika2767@yahoo.com

Here is a simple recipe for a Pizza that I discovered in Sicily while touring some small mountain villages. Vallelunga is South of Palermo, midway to Siracusa. What makes this Pizza unique is that all you need is some day old bread and your ready to go !

FYI, we served this at a large dinner party in Dallas, Texas and after tasting the pizza most of the guests refused to eat the whole side of a barbecued Texas Longhorn. All they wanted was the Pizza !

You can try different variations in the following areas:

1. -Instead of Onions try Fresh Fennel, sliced thin, then sautéed or baked in olive oil until tender
2. -Replace the olive topping with capers.
3. -Slice some pepperoni or  grilled sausage and use as a topping or on top of the onions.

Ingredients:

3-Tbsps. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

6 or 8-Slices of day old Ciabatta bread or Italian Baguette, sliced 1/2” thick

6 -Tbsp s-Of milk

1-Large can of San Marazano whole peeled tomatoes **  (Use Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes in place of San Marazano)

1-Large Yellow onion sliced thin and evenly

1/4-Cup of dry white wine

2-Thinly sliced garlic cloves

1-Lb of fresh mozzarella sliced thinly or coarsely grated

12-Cracked and sliced Sicilian Green and Black olives

1-Tbsp. of fresh Oregano

1-Tbsp. of Fresh Basil leaves torn coarsely

Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat oven to 450 deg. F

1. Coat a 12” Oven Ready skillet or oval baking dish with the olive oil
2. Place the sliced bread on the bottom of the pan or dish,covering totally
3. Sprinkle the milk on top of the bread
4. Saute the onions in a fry-pan with olive oil until caramelized  (straw yellow color)
5. Pour the wine over the onions and simmer till alcohol evaporates: about 1/2 liquid should remain.
6. Spread the sautéed onions over the bread evenly
7. Pour the tomatoes over the bread using all the juices and spread evenly
8. Sprinkle the Oregano
9. 9.Place garlic slices on top of the tomatoes
10. 10.Place mozzarella slices on top of the tomatoes. It should cover it well.
11. 11.Sprinkle the olives on the cheese
12. 12.Salt and Pepper to taste
13. 13.Sprinkle the 1/2 of the Basil leaves on top.
14. 14.Place in the 450 deg oven for about 40 minutes or until bubbly and melted *** (Check at 30 minutes)
15. 14.Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining Basil
16. 15.Serve immediately by using a large spoon .