How To: Stromboli
Note: for Stromboli, the toppings are put down the center 1/3, then one side stretched over the center, followed by other side stretched over the center and ends crimped.
How To: Stromboli
Dough
Make this pizza dough, rest, and divide into 6 pieces
Sauce
Make this red sauce with fresh tomatoes for dipping baked Stromboli
Toppings
Use any of the following toppings, customizing to your preferences:
Cheese, mozzarella or Italian blend recommended
Meats:
Pepperoni
Salami
Canadian bacon
Chicken
Ham
Sausage
Ground Beef
Black olives, sliced
Mushrooms, sliced
Pineapple, sliced
Onions, diced
Peppers, diced
Tomatoes, diced
Fresh basil leaves
Pans
Stromboli cooks at ~425F, so whatever pan you choose, ensure that it can handle hot heat. Select one:
Cast iron (15” round skillet, size varies): able to withstand the high heat and creates a crust that almost tastes deep fried. Preheat cast iron while preparing the Stromboli.
Sheet pan (18” x 13”): generally works similar to the cast iron but doesn’t create quite the same crispness in the crust.
Ceramic pizza stone + pizza peel: place stone in the oven during preheat and build the Stromboli, then transfer prepared Stromboli to hot stone. Popular as the hot stone generally guarantees a crisp, bubbly crust.
Steel pizza stone + pizza peel: suggested use & results are similar to the ceramic stone.
Methodology
Build on a silicone mat for easy transfer
Prepare dough (remember: divide into 5 pieces), sauce & toppings
Select pan and put in oven, turn oven to 425F to preheat
Roll out one piece of dough, using a rolling pin or stretch & press into a thin 9” square with fingertips
Layer the toppings down the center 1/3 of the 9” square
Stretch the dough from one side over the toppings in the center 1/3, then stretch the dough from the other side
Note: the square is now folded in equal thirds
Crimp ends by folding over 1/2” on the top and bottom and pressing fingertips into fold to pinch
Flip over, the double dough side is now on the bottom
Brush egg whites over top, sprinkle with oregano or garlic salt
Using a sharp knife, cut a few slits for steam to escape during baking
Transfer Stromboli to hot pan in oven:
Open oven, using a hot pad, pull oven rack containing hot stone out to the catch (~halfway)
Optional step to make it easier to remove baked Stromboli: if cooking on . . .
cast iron or sheet pan: add ~1 tsp oil to the pan
ceramic or steel stone: sprinkle stone lightly with cornmeal
Quickly lift the Stromboli from silicone mat and transfer to the hot pan
Using a hot pad, push the oven rack back into place within the oven and close the door
Bake 14-20 minutes, until golden brown, remove Stromboli with a pizza peel or a spatula
Serve hot.
Brenda’s tips:
Serving size: 6 Stromboli
Build 1, or 2, or even all 6 Stromboli at once:
Carefully placed, 6 Stromboli will fit on the sheet pan
2 Stromboli will fit on a 15” cast iron
2 Stromboli will fit on either of the stones