Cacio e pepe pizza

Step 1

Make the pizza dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and warm water and stir with your hands until a shaggy mass forms (it will be a little dry, but will hydrate after resting). Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Step 2

Uncover the bowl and sprinkle the yeast and salt over the dough. Stir with a wooden spoon until the yeast and salt are evenly distributed.

Step 3

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until a smooth ball forms, about 10 minutes. It will be very sticky because of the high hydration. Try not to use too much extra flour; instead use a bench scraper or flat metal spatula to scrape the dough from the surface and continue kneading. You can also dip your palms in flour to help keep the dough from sticking.

Step 4

Grease a clean large bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then place the dough in the bowl, cover with the kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 90 minutes. Remove the towel and loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then place in the refrigerator overnight.

Step 5

Make the Parmesan cream: Add the ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and heavy cream to a blender and blend on medium speed until just combined, about 15 seconds. Transfer to a zip-top bag and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 6

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C). Place a baking sheet, upside down, in the center of the oven while it preheats.

Step 8

Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over a clean baking sheet.

Step 9

Transfer the dough from the bowl to the oiled baking sheet. Gently use your hands to stretch it into a 12-inch round. Place the crushed ice in the center of the dough.

Step 10

Place the baking sheet with the pizza in the oven on top of the inverted baking sheet. Bake until the edges begin to crisp and the pizza dough is light golden in color, about 8 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the pizza from the oven and arrange the mozzarella slices evenly on top, then sprinkle with the Pecorino Romano.

Step 12

Return the pizza to the oven and continue baking until the cheese is completely melted, about 4 minutes more.

Step 13

Remove the pizza from the oven and use a pepper mill to evenly grind the black pepper over the entire pizza.

Step 14

Cut a ½-inch opening from the corner of the zip-top bag with the Parmesan cream, then drizzle in a circular pattern over the pizza.

Step 15

Slice into 8 pieces and serve.

Step 16

Enjoy!

Step 17

Recipe By: Codii Lopez

Step 18

Inspired By: La Cucina Italiana