Pizza Romana

In the bustling streets of Rome, pizza takes on a grand scale with the famous pizza romana or pizza al metro, baked in meter-long rectangular strips. At my restaurants, we bring this showstopping shared meal to your table, serving whole, huge Romana pizzas cut into eighteen squares. Each set of six squares features a different combination of toppings, making it an exciting culinary journey. The secret to this pizza’s success lies in baking it in two parts and adding the toppings after baking to ensure a perfect presentation and a foolproof cooking experience.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (26-ounce/740-gram) ball Romana Dough
• Semolina, for dusting
• 12 ounces (340 grams) whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (3 cups)

TOPPING NO. 1

• 18 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 12 oil-cured black olives, pitted and halved
• 3 large fresh basil leaves, rolled up lengthwise and cut crosswise into fine julienne
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

TOPPING NO. 2

• 6 small slices (1 ounce/30 grams) soppressata piccante
• Small handful of small arugula leaves
• Small piece Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, cold, for shaving
• 2 teaspoons crushed Calabrese peppers
• Hot Pepper Oil, for drizzling (optional)

TOPPING NO. 3

• 12 slices fig, cut 1/4 inch (from 3 to 4 small figs)
• 3 thin slices (1.5 ounces/45 grams) prosciutto, torn in half lengthwise (optional)
• 1 tablespoon crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, at room temperature
• Balsamic Glaze, for drizzling

PREPARATIONS:

1. Remove the dough ball from the refrigerator and leave wrapped at room temperature until the dough warms to 60°F to 65°F.
2. Set up the oven with two rectangular pizza stones or baking steels and preheat to 500°F one hour before the dough will be ready to roll.
3. Dust the work surface with a generous amount of semolina, then move the dough to the surface and coat both sides with semolina.
4. Sprinkle a large wooden peel generously with semolina.

YIELD:

• One 12 by 24-inch Pizza Romana; approximately eighteen 4-inch squares.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Baking the pizza in two parts and adding toppings after baking ensures a perfect presentation and a foolproof cooking experience.

TIPS:

• Use a large peel and pizza stones or baking steels that can accommodate a 12 by 14-inch pizza for this grand-scale pizza.
• Serve this pizza on a giant pizza paddle or a very long cutting board for a cool and dramatic presentation.
• For a finger-food option to feed a crowd, cut smaller pieces.

The Pizza Romana is a grand culinary adventure that brings the spirit of Rome’s massive and diverse pizzas to your table. This meter-long rectangular pizza, typically baked in Rome’s specialty food shops, is transformed into a captivating shared meal at my restaurants. We cut it into eighteen squares, each featuring a unique combination of toppings that takes you on a delightful journey.

To ensure a flawless presentation and cooking experience, we bake the pizza in two parts. First, we bake the two halves with just cheese, and then we add the toppings after they come out of the oven. This method not only simplifies the process but also ensures that your pizza will be served at the perfect temperature.

At our restaurants, we recommend a fun way of enjoying the Pizza Romana by treating it as a three-course meal. With toppings ranging from tomatoes, basil, and olives to soppressata piccante, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and arugula, and finally, fig, prosciutto, and Gorgonzola, each set of six squares represents a different “course.” This innovative approach adds a touch of excitement and variety to your dining experience.

One of the greatest advantages of the Pizza Romana is its versatility. You can choose to create your own single topping or mix and match the suggested combinations. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experiment with flavors and textures, catering to your taste preferences.

Featuring whole, huge Romana pizzas, this culinary masterpiece is an ideal choice for gatherings and celebrations. The sight of this giant pizza paddle or long cutting board adorned with delicious squares is sure to impress your guests.

Indulge in the flavors of Rome with the Pizza Romana, and let its dramatic presentation and mouthwatering toppings take you on a memorable journey. Whether you’re a pizza enthusiast or simply looking for a unique dining experience, the Pizza Romana will undoubtedly leave you with a sense of awe and culinary satisfaction.