Nonna's Famous Pizza

By Bessie Picone (instructions by Cecilia Malloy)

This was the pizza eaten in the famous contest between Bill Malloy and Louie Picone.  Nonna had made several pizzas, all in a stack. Bill and Louis decided to see who could eat more. They went through at least a dozen pizzas, Nonna making more as they ate.  Louis finally had to give up, but Bill could have kept going.

Crust:
5 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 - 2 TB shortening
2 eggs
1 envelope yeast dissolved in 1 cup warm water (100-110 degrees)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 TB sugar
1 TB honey
2 TB dry milk powder
more water, as needed (about 1/2 cup)
more flour, as needed
olive oil
oregano
grated Romano cheese
grated mozzarella cheese

Toppings:
Spaghetti sauce
sauteed onions (Saute in olive oil over low heat until translucent)
oregano
grated Romano cheese
mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, sliced meatballs, eggplant, snails or other toppings as desired
grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Drop shortening into flour and squish with fingers (the squeamish can use a pastry
blender) until it forms small particles.
2. Make a well in flour and add eggs, beat well with fork, then add dissolved yeast, salt,
sugar, honey and dry milk and mix well. Add more water as needed and mix by
hand. If sticky, add a little flour.  Transfer to well floured board. Knead about 10
minutes.
3. Divide into two balls of dough. Roll or pat into circle or square and place on cookie sheet or pizza stone sprinkled with cornmeal. Spread spaghetti sauce over dough and place onions on top.
4. Sprinkle oregano and Romano cheese over onions. Add favorite pizza toppings.  Smother with mozzarella cheese.
5. Put into cold oven, turn oven to 500 degrees, and bake 15-20 minutes, until golden
brown and cheese is melted.
6.  Remove from oven and let sit a minute or two before cutting.