Cheese

Pizza Pie aka The Frienda Kind!

by:
April 26, 2011
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes 1 square pizza, 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan (easy to make 2 or 3)
Author Notes

A pizza, or two, helped celebrate special occasions; family and friends often put in their request. My Grandma Angelo called this style pizza, the only kind she made, “the frienda kind.” In fact, she called a lot of things frienda, her Italian slang the best I can explain it, means something that is the most familiar to all.

This recipe is similar to the days gone by - as I only have memory to go on, it was never written down; crushed tomato sauce, sautéed garlic, basil, a sprinkle or two of pecorino and melt in your mouth stringy mozzarella over a square shaped yeast dough that bakes airy and crisp – that’s the frienda kind.

Today, I keep the pizza memories alive, and am known not only for the pizza but for the party moments that goes with it; definitely a feast enjoyed by all.


lapadia

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • SAUCE
  • 1 28 oz. can organic Italian crushed tomatoes or 2 lbs fresh plum tomatoes
  • Garlic, finely chopped – to your taste
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt - to taste
  • 12 fresh basil leaves - chiffonade - optional,I don't always use it my grandmother never did
  • CRUST
  • 1 envelope Rapid Rise yeast
  • 1-1/3 cups warm water
  • 3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • CHEESE TOPPING
  • 3 cups grated low moisture whole milk mozzarella
  • 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano - divided in half
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil to drizzle over the raw dough
Directions
  1. SAUCE Heat the olive oil, add the garlic, sauté a minute to soften, add the tomatoes, salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 45 minutes. Stir in the fresh basil. Let the sauce cool.
  2. CRUST In a large bowl, combine 3-1/2 cups of the flour, yeast packet and the salt. Add the water until a soft dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if necessary, about 10 minutes.
  4. Lightly coat a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to oil the top. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft free place and let rise until doubled, about 2 hours.
  5. Oil a 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly-roll type pan. Place the dough in the center of the pan, with your fist flatten. Continue to stretch and flatten the dough to fit the pan. NOTE: You may need to relax the dough; let it rest around 5-10 minute intervals, a couple times, relaxing the dough helps to stretch and flatten. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 1 hour, until puffy and almost doubled.
  6. CHEESE Grate the cheese, set aside until needed.
  7. BAKING THE PIZZA Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  8. With your fingertips, firmly press the dough to make dimples at 1-inch intervals all over the surface. Drizzle a little olive oil over the dough and then the sauce, leaving a ½-inch border all around.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven. Sprinkle half of the grated cheese and then scatter the mozzarella over top. Sprinkle with rest of the grated cheese.
  10. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for about 5-10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is browned. Let pizza sit for about 10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve hot.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • cookinginvictoria
    cookinginvictoria
  • vvvanessa
    vvvanessa
  • lorigoldsby
    lorigoldsby
  • nannydeb
    nannydeb
  • gingerroot
    gingerroot

50 Reviews

NoONE October 1, 2014
How do I get to the saved recipes? Do I need to print it in order to see it? Because I click on a recipe in the saved recipes, and nothing happens. Thank somebody!
 
lapadia October 1, 2014
Hi BB, Assuming you are meaning recipes you have saved already = make sure you are logged in, go to your page by clicking on your name (above), that will take you to "your saved recipes" page. Then go to the category you have saved the recipe you are wanting and click on the recipe to see and or print.
I hope I understood the question. Let us know. :)
 
76sarah June 26, 2011
We make a lot of pizza at home and this is by far the best we've ever made...thank you!
 
lapadia June 27, 2011
Wow...thanks for your feedback, 76sarah!
 
How wonderful that is an old family recipe and that you have a reputation for making great pizzas. I am still not satisfied with my homemade crust, so I will definitely try your recipe. Thanks for sharing -- your Italian grandmother sounds a lot like mine!
 
lapadia May 3, 2011
Thanks, cookinginvictoria! I am sure you will like this crust...would love your feedback. Love your recipes and stories, and yes, our grandmothers sound a lot alike!
 
vvvanessa April 29, 2011
lookin' good, lp!
 
lapadia April 30, 2011
Thanks, V!
 
lorigoldsby April 28, 2011
'frienda" indeed! congrats to you for mastering the art of making dough...and sharing a delicious recipe.
 
lapadia April 28, 2011
Thank, lorigoldsby, I see your "rockin oysters" are out here...love them!!!
 
nannydeb April 28, 2011
Mmmmmmm!
 
lapadia April 28, 2011
Thanks, nannydeb! I was just looking at your blackberry cake....Mmmmmmmm back to you!!!
 
gingerroot April 28, 2011
Love everything about this, lapadia! It is a little past 11pm here in HI and after reading your head note, I really want some "frienda kind" pizza right now. I'm definitely thinking pizza party this weekend with my family. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.
 
lapadia April 28, 2011
Thanks, gingerroot! Hope you and your family have a fun weekend "frienda kind" of party!!
 
gingerroot April 30, 2011
I made this tonight with my two children and it was DELICIOUS! It was also so much fun. We'll definitely be adding this to our list of favorite things to make and eat together. Thank you so much for this recipe, lapadia!
 
lapadia April 30, 2011
I love hearing back from you, GR, and so happy a fun and delicious time was had by all! ....I look forward to making your potato salad, love that lemon twist in it! Happy Weekend :)
 
Anna ". April 28, 2011
I'm her sister and this is a true story! Luv this recipe!
 
Anna ". April 28, 2011
I'm her sister and it's a true story! Every family oughta have a "Cheffy Linda."
 
lapadia April 28, 2011
LOL...sistahhhh! Everybody on Food52 does :)
 
lapadia April 28, 2011
:)..testing
 
ljwalker53 April 27, 2011
This pizza has my mouth watering, Linda!
 
lapadia April 28, 2011
Thanks, LJW!
 
spicecat April 27, 2011
I love good pizza. Looking forward to making this for my family and friends. Thank you again Linda for sharing with us.
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Looking forward to hearing how it goes, spicecat :) !!!
 
lastnightsdinner April 27, 2011
I have such a soft spot for these big family (or "frienda" :D )-style pizzas - this looks great!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks so much, lastnightsdinner!
 
fiveandspice April 27, 2011
Mmm, this looks so delicious, and absolutely perfect for sharing! And, I love learning the phrase "frienda kind." I'm totally going to start using it!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, fiveandspice! My grandmother will totally be smiling when you use the "friends kind" phrase :)
 
Panfusine April 27, 2011
wow... this is one recipe I'd probably have to make every week if I introduce it to my 5 yr old, he LOVES pizza!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, and let me know if you do try it! Yes, when I was young I love it so much, back then, it was usually only made on special occasions :(
 
healthierkitchen April 27, 2011
This looks just like the delicious "Sicilian" style pizza I grew up with in NY. Yum. So nice that you're carrying on the family tradition!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, HK! I like all styles of pizza, but I don't know anybody who will refuse this style pizza...
 
mrslarkin April 27, 2011
Sounds fantaistic! Thanks for sharing, lapadia!!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, mrslarkin! And...seriously, I have the picture of your scones in my mind - as I am typing!
 
boulangere April 27, 2011
I can taste the love right from the photo.
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, boulangere!
 
aargersi April 27, 2011
Love! Next pizza party is at your house!!! Love that it is a family recipe ... love the Frienda Kind!!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, aargersi!! Pizza party...how fun to coordinate, I have a friend in Texas (Mertzon), my husband and I have been wanting to drive Route66 (is that the one?) on the way to visit her, are you far from there?
 
aargersi April 27, 2011
Just looked up Mertzon - that's in the NW corner of Texas in the panhandle, so probably 4-5 hours from here :-( But you could duck up to New Mexico and see White Sands, Riudoso, Gila Nat'l Forest ... that would be fun. I am still looking to see where Rte 66 runs ... anyhoo you could visit her then run down through the hill country / Texas wine country to Central Texas and visit!! That would be FUN!!!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Will fill my husband in :)
 
Midge April 27, 2011
Yum!
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, Midge! Hope you will try sometime :)
 
wssmom April 26, 2011
Just delightful! You had me at the photo .....
 
lapadia April 27, 2011
Thanks, wssmom! Hope you will get to try this sometime...