Chris Bianco Shares His Iconic "Rosa" Pizza

Step 1

For the dough, combine the yeast and warm water in a large bowl

Step 2

Give the yeast a stir to help dissolve it and let it do its thing for 5 minutes

Step 3

You're giving it a little bit of a kick-start, giving it some room to activate, to breathe

Step 4

When the yeast has dissolved, stir in 3 cups of the flour, mixing gently until smooth

Step 5

You're letting the flour marry the yeast

Step 6

Slowly add 2 cups more flour, working it in gently

Step 7

You should be able to smell the yeast working—that happy yeasty smell

Step 8

Add the salt

Step 9

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and get to work

Step 10

With the dough on the counter, start stretching it and folding it back on itself

Step 11

Repeat the process until the dough is noticeably easier to handle, 10 to 15 times, then knead until it's smooth and stretchy, soft and still a little tacky

Step 12

This should take about 10 minutes, but here, feel is everything

Step 13

Shape the dough into a ball and put it in a lightly greased big bowl

Step 14

Roll the dough around to coat it with oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm place until it doubles in size, 2 to 2 ½ hours

Step 15

When you press the fully proofed dough with your finger, the indentation should remain

Step 16

Turn the proofed dough out onto a floured work surface and cut it into 4 pieces

Step 17

Roll the pieces into balls and dust them with flour

Step 18

Cover with plastic wrap and let them rest for another hour, or until they have doubled in size

Step 19

The dough is ready to be shaped, topped and baked

Step 20

Put a pizza stone in the oven and preheat the oven to 500°F

Step 21

Let the stone heat for at least 30 minutes

Step 22

For the pizza, on a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into a 12-inch round, then transfer it to a floured pizza peel

Step 23

Spread the Parmigiano evenly over the dough, leaving a ¾-inch border all around

Step 24

Evenly distribute the red onion and rosemary over the cheese

Step 25

Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone and bake the pizza halfway, about 4 minutes

Step 26

Sprinkle with the pistachios and continue cooking until the crust is golden brown, about 2 minutes more

Step 27

Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve