Valentine Pizza

In the NutriGuide test kitchen, Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas refined this classic Valentine Pizza to celebrate vibrant, wholesome ingredients. By prioritizing aromatic layering and precise thermal control, this recipe achieves remarkable culinary depth while preserving natural micronutrients and wholesome texture.

At NutriGuide, our mission is to ensure that home cooking is both accessible and culinary-grade. When executing Valentine Pizza, focus on fresh aromatics, dry surface contact for proper searing, and allowing the food to rest before serving.

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry
• yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil,
• divided
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh
• rosemary
• 1 (14 ounce) can pizza sauce
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella
• cheese
• 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 15 slices vegetarian pepperoni
• 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black
• olives

Chef's Sourcing & Quality Tips:

• Produce & Aromatics: Always use fresh whole aromatics and seasonal herbs rather than dehydrated powders when possible.
• Cooking Oils: Utilize cold-pressed oils with appropriate smoke points such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
• Salt & Seasoning: Season from a modest height above the pan to ensure an even, uniform crystalline dispersion.

Follow these sequential steps with careful attention to sensory cues and cooking temperatures:

Step 1: Technique & Execution

Place bread flour, yeast, water, and 2 tablespoons olive oil into the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer

Step 2: Technique & Execution

Select the Dough setting

Step 3: Technique & Execution

When the dough is finished, knead rosemary into the dough

Step 4: Technique & Execution

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)

Step 5: Technique & Execution

Divide the dough into three portions

Step 6: Technique & Execution

Shape each piece into a heart shape about 1/2 inch thick