April 28, 1954 Pizza Neapolitan, Chocolate Walnut Cookies

Pizza Neapolitan

(for one 12 inch round pizza or medium sized baking sheet)

2/3 c. water (half milk may be used)
1 T. melted shortening
1 t. salt
1/2 ounce compressed yeast combined with 1 t. sugar
About 2 c. sifted all purpose flour to form meduim dough

Combine water, shortening and salt. When lukewarm add the dissolved yeast. Add flour a little bit at a time and beat until smooth. When dough is too stiff to handle, turn it onto floured cloth and knead until smooth for several minutes, adding only enough flour to keep dough from sticking to hands. When dough is smooth, shape into a round patty, cover with a towel. Let rise until double in bulk.

After it has doubled in size, roll and pat it to fit 12 inch round pan that has been greased with shortening. A medium sized baking sheet may be used instead. Roll dough about 1 inch larger than pan in which it is to be baked, so it may come up on side to enclose filling. It may be pulled into shape while in pan if necessary. Cover dough with one of the following fillings and let stand in warm room for 20 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 35 to 40 minutes or until dough is brown underneath. These pizza may be baked a day in advance. When cool, remove from baking sheet or pan, cover completely with wax paper, and keep in cool place (the sausage pizza must be kept in refrigerator). About 15 minuted before serving, reheat at 400 degrees until quite warm. Serves 8.

Plain Tomato Filling for Pizza

1 1/4 c. drained tomatoes
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 small clove garlic, chopped fine
1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 t. oregano or thyme
2 T. olive or vegetable oil

Drain tomatoes, crush until of medium consistency. Add salt, pepper and garlic. Pour this mixture over unbaked dough and spread as evenly as possible. Sprinkle cheese, oregano and olive oil over top. Allow to stand 20 minutes before baking.

Mozzarella Cheese Filling for Pizza

Prepare same as plain filling. Lastly sprinkle with about 3/4 c. freshly shredded mozzarella cheese.

Anchovy Filling for Pizza

Prepare same as plain filling. Lastly sprinkle about 1 1/2 T. or more anchovies broken up into small pieces.

Sausage-Mozzarella Filling for Pizza

Prepare as in plain filling omitting oil if sausage is rich in fat. Sprinkle tomatoes with 3/4 c. coarsely shredded mozzarella. Lastly, sprinkle with 1/2 pound Italian sausage removed from casing and pan fried in small amount of shortening until medium done (about 10 minutes), separating meat with form as it fries.

Chocolate Walnut Cookies

1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. shortening
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 oz. chocolate
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Cream butter ans shortening, add sugar gradually, beat well. Beat in egg. Stir in melted chocolate. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet, leave 2 inches between each cookie. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.

Frosting: Add enough top milk to 2 cups sifted confectioners sugar to make an easy spreading frosting. Add a dash of salt and 1 t. vanilla. Drop 1 teasp. frosting on each cookie; swirl with your spatula. Top each with a half walnut.