Fried Pizza with Vitello Tonnato

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups
• Bread flour or use all-purpose if you don’t have it: 1 2/3 cups
• Fresh yeast: 1 1/2 tsp or Dry yeast: 1/2 tsp
• Caster sugar: 1 tsp
• Salt: 1 tsp
• Extra virgin olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Lukewarm water (adjust as needed): 1 1/4 cups
• Peanut oil for frying
• Veal (silverside or round): 1 1/3 lbs
• Carrots: 1
• Celery stalk: 1
• Onion: 1
• Bay leaf: 1
• Sprig of rosemary: 1
• Black peppercorns: 3
• Coarse salt: To taste
• Canned tuna in oil drained: 5 oz
• Eggs for mayonnaise: 2
• Seed oil or 3/4 cup prepared mayonnaise (about 6 oz): 3/4 cup
• Capers rinsed: 6–8
• Anchovy fillets: 2
• Juice of half a lemon
• Cooking broth to loosen the sauce (optional): As needed

Instructions

1. 1

   Dissolve the yeast and sugar in lukewarm water in a large bowl. Add the flours,mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands.

2. 2

   When the dough starts to form,add the salt and olive oil,then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 1/2 hours,until doubled.

3. 3

   Divide the dough into eight equal balls and let rise for another hour.

4. 4

   Meanwhile,prepare the veal. Place it in a large pot with cold water,carrot,celery,halved onion,bay leaf,rosemary,peppercorns,and a pinch of coarse salt. Bring to a boil,then reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 1 hour and 15 minutes,skimming as needed. Once done,let the meat cool in its broth to keep it tender.

5. 5

   Prepare the sauce. If starting from eggs,make mayonnaise by emulsifying the eggs with oil and a pinch of salt,then add lemon juice.

6. 6

   Blend the tuna with capers,anchovies,and a spoon or two of cold broth until smooth,then fold in the mayonnaise gradually.

7. 7

   When the veal is cool,slice it thinly with a sharp knife or slicer.

8. 8

   Flatten each dough ball into discs about 4–6 inches in diameter.

9. 9

   Heat plenty of peanut oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry the pizzas a few at a time until golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels.

10. 10

    Fill the fried pizzas with veal slices,tuna sauce,and some fresh salad with cherry tomatoes.