Eggplant Parmigiana Pizza

Step 1

In a small bowl, add half of the water, the fresh yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let dissolve.

Step 2

In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour, the water/yeast mixture and start mixing on low. Add the salt, then slowly add the rest of the water, and keep mixing. Lastly, slowly, add the oil and mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the food processor and starts to form a ball.

Step 3

Take it out of the food processor and put it onto a floured work surface. Knead it for a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Form it into a ball, cover it with a bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Once rested, give the dough a small fold: stretch the ends to form a rectangle, take the outer ends and fold into the center, turn it 90 degrees and do the same. Then, form it back into a ball. Transfer the ball of dough into a bowl, cover with cling wrap (better if you oil the plastic so it doesn’t stick to the dough when it rises). Transfer the bowl to the oven (turned off) with the light on and let it rest for a few hours (2-until doubled in size.

Step 5

When the dough is ready, divide into 3 even balls. Take each piece and shape into a circle using your hands. Oil a 12-inch round pizza pan and stretch dough from the middle out until it fills the pan, leaving a nice border. Repeat this with the other dough and set pizza crusts aside.

Step 6

Preheat the oven to 425° F.

Step 7

In a bowl combine tomato puree, oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix well, set aside.

Step 8

Heat up a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a saute pan. Put eggplant rounds into the pan and saute till they start to turn golden in color. Turn them over and do the same. About 2-3 minutes a side.

Step 9

Take out of the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate.

Step 10

Drop a couple of tablespoons of tomato sauce into the center of the pizza dough.

Step 11

With the spoon, spread the sauce to the edges of the dough in circular motions, leaving a bit of a dough border for a crust. About 1-2 cm.

Step 12

Place sauteed eggplant rounds onto pizza distributing them evenly.

Step 13

Take the fresh mozzarella rounds and put them on next.

Step 14

Sprinkle with fresh grated Parmigiano.

Step 15

Add tomato rounds, and finish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzling of olive oil.

Step 16

Put in oven in the middle rack and bake for 10-15 minutes or until crust edges turn golden and cheese is melted.

Step 17

Take out of the oven, shave some more Parmigiano on top and cut.

Step 18

Ready to serve.