Sfincione (Sicilian Pizza)

Ingredients

– 500g (4 cups) bread flour
– 500g (4 cups) durum wheat semolina
– 14g (1 tbsp) dry instant yeast
– 100ml (7 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil
– 12g (2 tsp) salt
– 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
– 10 anchovies
– 2 cans (400g each) peeled tomatoes
– 200g (7 oz) provolone cheese, diced
– 40g (1/3 cup) breadcrumbs
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 40g (1/3 cup) finely grated pecorino cheese

Method

1. In a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, combine the bread flour, durum wheat semolina, yeast, and salt. Set to medium-low speed. Once mixed, gradually add 700ml (3 cups) of warm water, mixing for 2-3 minutes until fully absorbed. Add the olive oil and continue mixing for another 3-4 minutes until the dough is smooth. Note that this will be a high-hydration dough, so it will be quite sticky.
2. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes until a smooth, tight ball forms. Transfer it to a clean, oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let it prove for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
3. Once the dough has risen, generously brush a full-size sheet pan with olive oil. Place the dough in the pan and gently stretch it to fill the entire surface. Cover again with a tea towel and let it prove for another hour or until doubled in size.
4. While the dough is proving, preheat the oven to 240°C/475°F (fan-forced).
5. In a pan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the sliced onions, 4 anchovies, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 6-7 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are softened and lightly golden.
6. Add the peeled tomatoes to the pan, then add one-third of a tin of water to each empty can, swish, and pour into the pan. Break up the tomatoes and cook over medium-low heat for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
7. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, dried oregano, and grated pecorino cheese. Set aside.
8. Once the dough has risen a second time, remove the tea towel. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the surface, then evenly press diced pieces of provolone cheese into the dough. Place one-third of an anchovy near each cheese piece, pressing them into the dough.
9. Place the dough in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes, until the base is nearly cooked through.
10. Remove the pizza from the oven and spread the prepared sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb, oregano, and pecorino mixture. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 6-7 minutes, until the sauce bubbles and the top is golden.
11. Remove from the oven and let the sfincione rest for 5 minutes before carefully removing it from the pan. Let it cool slightly, then cut and serve warm.

44 Comments

  1. If it takes YOU, a professional chef, four attempts to
    get it right, I’ve got no shot in the fucking world.

  2. Tried myself with a hand mixer ended up having to a 24hr proofing after raising the dough for 35min in the oven on 300
    Bloody brilliant once its all put together though I put Salami instead of Anchovies and I gotta say I wish I did it with them bc I feel like I failed epically I coulve at least followed the recipe lmao

  3. It’s honestly amazing that an incredible chef like you will admit it took four attempts. I’m sure failures are few and far between compared to home cooks but mentioning it gives me a profound respect for you❤

  4. I love that kitchen aid mixing bowl in the wood finish looks sick! And that well seasoned baking pan also!

  5. I know exactly what that dough tastes like through the screen omg it looks really good

  6. If someone handed me that “pizza” I’d be so angry. There’s zero cheese and waaaaay too much bread and sauce.

  7. first, the music, then the wooden kitchenaid bowl…
    aww… and then the focaccia-like dough 🙂 thanks, Andy, thats made my day !

  8. when Dr Dre is the composer of the easy listening music playing over someone's cooking video…. and you are shocked because you remember him from his "Fvck the Police" days with NWA… you know you are officially old.

  9. I always learn from watching Andy’s videos and wish YouTube has been a thing like it now is decades ago. 🍕🍔🍝🍽️🍗

  10. Omg, I’m from Philadelphia in the US and tomato pie is a thing here and I saw this and was like “huh, that looks a lot like tomato pie” turns out it’s the original/inspiration 😂

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