The Independent

Box with cicada pizza recipe

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Ingredient­s

For the dough:

1 tsp active dried yeast

1 tsp sugar

¾ cup warm water

1 tbsp olive oil

2¼ cups bread flour

⅓ cu/p cornmeal

For the tomato sauce:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

450g peeled tomatoes, sliced into 2cm chunks

1 tbsp tomato paste ½ tsp sugar ½ tsp chopped fresh oregano ½ tsp chopped fresh basil

Salt and pepper to taste

For the toppings:

½ cup grated mozzarella cheese 6 marinated artichoke hearts 8 sun-dried tomatoes in oil 8 sub-adult periodical cicadas, thawed frozen or freshly caught, 1 tsp red pepper flakes

Method

1. To make the dough, combine the yeast, sugar, and ¼ cup water. Add this liquid, the olive oil, and remaining water to the flour and cornmeal. Mix to a soft dough, then knead on a lightly floured board until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

2. Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with a cloth or plastic wrap. Let rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

3. While waiting for the dough to rise, begin making the tomato sauce. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add onion and garlic, and cook until soft.

4. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasional­ly. Remove from flame.

5. Punch down the risen dough and knead briefly. Place in the centre of an oiled 30cm pizza pan. Press outward, using the knuckles, until dough is evenly spread, filling the pan. Pinch a lip around the edge to contain the sauce. Brush the dough with olive oil.

6. Preheat the oven to 220C.

7. Spoon tomato sauce over the dough. Spread mozzarella cheese uniformly over the sauce.

8. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, reserving the oil. Coarsely chop them and the artichoke hearts, artfully arranging the two items over the cheese. 9. Top with fresh or thawed frozen periodic cicadas. 10. Sprinkle the completed pie with 1 or 2 tablespoon­s of the reserved oil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the dough is crisp and golden. Dust with red pepper flakes and serve.

11. Wait 13 to 17 years and repeat this entire sequence.

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 ??  ?? Cicada nymphs, pickles and tofu in a soy marinade (Brooklyn Bugs)
Cicada nymphs, pickles and tofu in a soy marinade (Brooklyn Bugs)
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