VALENTINE RICOTTA AND PEPPER PIZZA

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place a pizza stone in the oven for 30 minutes to preheat.  Note – you can also make this pizza on a baking sheet lined with parchment if you don’t have a stone.

Knead the dough briefly and let it proof on the counter, covered with a clean kitchen towel, for 30 minutes while the oven heats up.

Place a piece of parchment paper on a pizza peel (or on a baking sheet if that’s what you are using).  Optional – you can also dust the peel with cornmeal to keep the dough from sticking when sliding it onto the stone. Form the dough into the shape of a heart (approx. 12” x 14”) on the parchment.

Top the dough with the spaghetti sauce, leaving about ½” of dough exposed around the edges.  Dollop the ricotta over the top of the sauce and top with the mozzarella and parmesan.

Place your peppers on top of the cheese in your ‘design’ with hearts and flowers.  Drizzle the olive oil over the exposed dough around the edges of the pizza.  Sprinkle the Italian seasoning all over the top.

Slide the pizza (with the parchment) onto the baking stone.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and bubbly.  Remove and let sit for 5-10 minutes to set.  Cut into slices and devour.