Monday, May 3, 2010

Pizza Braid and My Makeshift Pizza Sauce

Remember the BBQ Chicken Braid I made? Well, I took out the other half of the dough from the freezer, placed it in the refrigerator overnight, and then let it sit out on the counter for more than an hour (I forgot it was sitting there!! Oops!).
I added my own pizza sauce to the base, grated some mozzarella cheese, and then added pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and more cheese on top. I then braided the bread and brushed olive oil on top. I didn't to allow it to rise a second time because the sun was quickly descending, and it still tasted just fine.
Ah, lovely blue photos. *cry*

I actually enjoyed this one much more than the chicken one. Oh, it was so good. I dipped some of the braid in ranch dressing and some in marinara sauce. Both sauces were great complements to this dish. I can't wait to make this dough again and try out more savory dishes!
Look at that cheese peaking out of the braid!! Oh goodness!!

The recipe for the bread, braid, and process photos can be found here and printable recipe here. What fillings would you like to try in braid form?
*UPDATE* Someone asked me to post my pizza sauce on here. I didn't originally post it b/c it is so simple and I don't ever measure it out. I will just tell you what I use:

Makeshift/Quick Pizza Sauce

One small can (6-8 oz) of tomato sauce
About 1 Tbsp or more of dried Italian seasoning
1/2-1 Tbsp of fresh or dry basil, chopped fine (I'm so glad I'm growing this stuff.)
1/2-1 Tbsp of fresh or dried parsley, chopped fine (I know the Italian seasoning has basil and parsley, but I like to enhance the flavor with more)
About 1/2-1 tsp of granulated sugar (to counteract the acidity of tomatoes)
1 tsp garlic powder (optional. I sometimes forget to add this.)
Salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl or the can itself and spread on the pizza dough. I never cook this sauce before adding it to the dough. It just isn't necessary, and it's quicker.

That's it! Enjoy!

31 comments:

  1. mmm, pizza! I bet some garlic, pesto, chicken and tomatoes would be delish in a braid. What do you think?

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  2. mmmmmmmmmm...che buona!! complimenti!

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  3. Ma che bella l'idea della treccia per chiuderla, sei bravissima! E che pazienza!!

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  4. Oh delicious~ This is exactly what I'd love to have for lunch :).

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  5. This looks AMAZING! And I'm hungry right now. Haha. Beautiful post.

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  6. This looks so good and the photos turned out beautifully. I saw your previous post and I have to tell you I really struggle with the same things when I take my pictures. But your pictures look great and I like the before and after shots.

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  7. Very nice Mem- you combine two of my faves, bread and pizza into one nice package- I've got the dough, cheese, sauce and pepperoni waiting for me at home to make this!

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  8. You're photos are beautiful. A few things that may help you is adjusting the white balance. Or, you can color correct the image if you have Photoshop. Don't forget peoples monitors are all different, so what looks green to you may not to others.

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  9. The prettiest pizza I've ever seen. YUM!

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  10. You are the queen of braided breads. Love the idea of doing a pizza version and I can't wait to see what else you come up with. How about spinach/artichoke?

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  11. OK, I can't look at your blog before I've had lunch anymore. My stomach is growling now. That looks sooo amazingly good. Best thing about it is the endless amount of possibilities for fillings...OK, I need to eat now!

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  12. \That looks delicious! I would love incorportating savoury dishes to my blog soon

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  13. YUM - I want to eat this right now. I am afraid of making dough :( but if/when I master this fear, I am so making a pizza braid. Love your blog!

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  14. Yum! Can you please post the pizza sauce recipe too?

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  15. Fantástico!
    Adorei a receita e o blog!...
    Virei mais vezes...
    Babette

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  16. My dad makes a really mean roll like this with mozzarella, prosciutto and asparagus or broccoli rabe. It's amazing!

    This filling looks pretty darn delicious though. I think I'm in love with these braids!

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  17. What a great idea! Nice because it can be made before guests arrive and makes a nice hearty bite.

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  18. I like it, I like it, I like it, I really, really like it! Have you ever made a veggie braid? I can see it now: the red, ripe tomatoes, the sliced onions, sweet green peppers, savory black/green olives, and soft, melted cheese! All of these veggies and cheese nestled inside your delicious homemade bread! Que mas necesitamos?

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  19. This is gorgeous! :) What a wonderful way to make pizza look so classy! I'll have to try it!

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  20. Bravo guapa, tus recetas siempre tan buenas y exquisitas! Un beso enorme!!

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  21. That is a thing of beauty! It's like calzones got a makeover. :) Perfect filling.

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  22. This looks sensational!! we made pizza over the weekend,and I baked a simple sesame bread with the leftover dough. How did you make the pretty braid??!

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  23. You're obsessed with braids. This looks like another great one!

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  24. Okay, so I took your advice and worked with yeast for my very first time... It was a success!! My pizza braid came out amazingly delicious!! I had to use a store bought pizza sauce, but I tried to spruce up things by adding some crushed garlic, and slices of green bell pepper and red onion. It was sooo tasty! My husband especially enjoyed it:) Next time I won't be so nervous to work with yeast, this was super easy!! Thank you for such a great post!! Please update us with new braid recipes!! I want to try more!!!!

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  25. Love how this looks. It's making me so hungry. Great shots!

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  26. Layla- I'm so happy to hear that this bread and filling worked out for you so well!!

    I will be definitely making more braids. I hope to use the filling ideas in the comments.

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  27. OMG! I am reading this before dinner. big mistake!:p The pizza braid looks really good. I need to make one soon! maybe a hawaiian flavor one with ham/chicken+ chunk of pineapples. Cos that's what my hubby likes. :)

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