Pizza Pairings

Beer Lover’s Beer Pizza

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound pepperoni sausage, diced
1 pound bacon, diced
1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup naked pig American Pale Ale
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Ingredients for Dough:
1 cup warm (110 degrees to 120 degrees) Naked Pig A.P.A
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt
1 1/2 ounces fresh yeast
2 3/4 to 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

Directions for Dough:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk to combine beer, 2 tablespoons olive oil, sugar, salt, and yeast. Fit bowl on electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix until incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add flour, and mix until dough is fairly stiff, about 10 minutes.

On a lightly floured work surface, knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Brush the inside of a large bowl with remaining tablespoon olive oil; transfer dough to bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and leave in a warm place until dough has doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down dough, and transfer to a clean surface. Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, divide dough into quarters; keep covered with plastic wrap.

Directions for Remainder:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, and sauté the pepperoni and bacon until evenly browned. Mix in the mushrooms, onion, and green pepper. Cook and stir about 5 minutes, until tender.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix the ingredients from the skillet with the tomato sauce and beer. Season with garlic, oregano, thyme, and salt. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes, until slightly thickened. Spread over the 2 pizza crusts, and top with cheese.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.