Backyard Pizza with Mojo Sauce: Perfecting Wood-Fired Flavor
Mario CruzIngredients for Wood-Fired Pizza:
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Pizza Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
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Toppings:
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced
- Additional toppings as desired
- Any Barbaro Mojo Cuban Hot Sauce
Equipment:
- A wood-fired pizza oven
- Pizza peel
- Pizza stone (if needed)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Combine with flour and salt. Knead and let rise.
- Fire Up Your Wood-Fired Oven: Preheat oven to 750-850°F (400-450°C).
- Prepare the Toppings: Grate cheese and slice tomatoes.
- Shape the Pizza: Stretch out dough balls to form pizza bases.
- Assemble the Pizza: Add sauce, cheese, tomatoes, and toppings.
- Cooking the Pizza: Bake in oven for 2-4 minutes.
- Add the Cuban Twist: Drizzle Barbaro Mojo hot sauce over the cooked pizza.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice and serve the Cuban pizza with a cold beer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should a wood-fired oven be for pizza?
750 to 850°F is the target range. That high heat is what gives wood-fired pizza its char and quick 2 to 4 minute bake time, instead of the 15 to 20 minutes a home oven needs.
Which Barbaro Mojo sauce works best on pizza?
El Havanero or Jalabáo both work well drizzled on after baking. El Havanero adds more heat and a citrus-garlic kick, while Jalabáo keeps it milder if you're serving a mixed crowd.
Can I make this pizza without a wood-fired oven?
Yes. Use the hottest setting your home oven allows, ideally with a pizza stone preheated for at least 45 minutes, and expect a longer bake time, around 8 to 12 minutes, since a home oven won't reach wood-fired temperatures.
How long should pizza dough rise?
About 1 to 2 hours at room temperature, until it roughly doubles in size. A slower, overnight rise in the refrigerator also works and can improve the flavor of the crust.
Should I add hot sauce before or after baking the pizza?
After. Drizzling Barbaro Mojo hot sauce onto the pizza once it comes out of the oven keeps the flavor bright instead of cooking off or blending into the sauce underneath.