New Haven-Style White Clam Pizza

Name: New Haven-Style White Clam Pizza
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H10M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT2H35M0.000S
Yield: One 12-by-14-inch pizza, 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 3/4 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees F); 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 teaspoon sugar; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for oiling the bowl; 3/4 cup chopped fresh clams; 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons cornmeal, for dusting; 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, optional; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; Kosher salt; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; Crushed red pepper, for serving

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New Haven-style pizza, born when Neapolitan immigrants settled in US cities, starts with a thin, crispy crust, and is topped with garlic, oregano, olive oil and just a sprinkling of cheese. Over time, clams were added from local waters and the flatbread-like pies rose in popularity and are now synonymous with the Connecticut name.

Level: Intermediate
Total: 2 hr 35 min

Prep: 25 min
Inactive: 2 hr
Cook: 10 min

Yield: One 12-by-14-inch pizza, 4 to 6 servings

Level: Intermediate
Total: 2 hr 35 min

Prep: 25 min
Inactive: 2 hr
Cook: 10 min

Yield: One 12-by-14-inch pizza, 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough:

3/4 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees F)

1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for oiling the bowl

Topping:

3/4 cup chopped fresh clams

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 teaspoon dried oregano

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons cornmeal, for dusting

3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, optional

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Kosher salt

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Crushed red pepper, for serving

Directions

For the dough: Whisk together the warm water, yeast and sugar in a bowl. Set aside until the yeast activates and becomes foamy, about 10 minutes.
Whisk the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour the foamy yeast mixture and the olive oil into the well. Using a fork, gradually incorporate the flour into the liquid mixture. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until very smooth, about 5 minutes.
Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm area until the dough doubles in size, about 2 hours.
For the topping: In the meantime, mostly drain the clams, retaining about 2 tablespoons liquid. Mix together the chopped clams and juice, olive oil, oregano and garlic in a bowl. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F and adjust the rack to the lowest level. Put a pizza stone or turned-over baking sheet on the rack.
When the dough has doubled in size, turn onto a lightly floured surface and stretch into a very thin rectangle, about 12 by 14 inches. Dust a pizza paddle or turned-over baking sheet with the cornmeal and place the dough on top; make sure it slides back and forth easily. If using, sprinkle the mozzarella all over the dough. Top evenly with the clam mixture and the Parmesan. Season with salt.
Carefully slide the dough onto the hot pizza stone. Cook until nicely golden brown on top and bottom, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the parsley and crushed red pepper. Drizzle with more olive oil if desired.