Pizza Monkey Bread

I am calling this blog post -- A beautiful mess.  That is exactly what it was.  The only way to describe it would be a hot mess of deliciousness.  An unconstructed pizza - more or less.  Dough and melted cheese and pepperoni and homemade pizza sauce - what could go wrong?

This recipe came from Cook's Country.  (But trust me - their version of this recipe looked a WHOLE lot better.)  I normally don't use professional photos but in this case, you need to see what this bread really SHOULD look like.  This is the picture that accompanies the recipe in the January/February 2014 edition of the Cook's Country magazine. 

Pizza Monkey Bread
2 (1 pound) balls of pizza dough
4 ounces sliced pepperoni
3 Tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon oregano
8 sticks mozzarella sticks

Sauce
2 Tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
28 ounce crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper









Roll each pizza ball into a 10 by 6 inch rectangle on floured countertop.

Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 minutes.







Microwave pepperoni in bowl for 1 minute, stirring halfway through.








Transfer pepperoni to paper towel lined baking sheet.

Reserve pepperoni oil and add olive oil.














Brush pepperoni oil into bundt.














Combine parmesan and oregano.







Working with 1 dough at a time, return to counter and roll to 18x9 inch pan.

Shingle pepperoni parallel to long edge.











Lay 4 mozzarella sticks side by side.

Sprinkle half parmesan alongside mozzarella.

Roll up dough.  Repeat with remaining dough.





 




Cut each log in half.  Cut in half again.  Cut each section into thirds.

Pinch the edges of each dough ball closed.   Place about 6 balls into the bottom of bundt pan.  Brush with pepperoni oil.

Repeat layering and brushing with remaining dough balls.  Cover pan with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.



 







Heat oven to 400.
For sauce, heat oil in saucepan.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.















Add tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.











Bake bread 40 minutes.
 

Invert onto platter.  Serve with sauce.

So why was my pizza monkey bread such a disaster?  I'm not completely sure but I do have some ideas about what went wrong.  Don't get me wrong - it was SUPER tasty.  Seriously good and fun to eat because I set it in the middle of the table and we all just pulled pieces and ate.  It was REALLY good.   I am actually looking forward to remaking this recipe until I can perfect it.

Ciao!






Pizza Monkey Bread
2 (1 pound) balls of pizza dough
4 ounces sliced pepperoni
3 Tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon oregano
8 sticks mozzarella sticks

Sauce
2 Tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
28 ounce crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Roll each pizza ball into a 10 by 6 inch rectangle on floured countertop.  Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 minutes.  Microwave pepperoni in bowl for 1 minute, stirring halfway through.  Transfer pepperoni to paper towel lined baking sheet.  Reserve pepperoni oil and add olive oil.  Brush pepperoni oil into bundt.  Combine parmesan and oregano.  Working with 1 dough at a time, return to counter and roll to 18x9 inch pan.  Shingle pepperoni parallel to long edge.  Lay 4 mozzarella sticks side by side.  Sprinkle half alongside mozzarella.  Roll up dough.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Cut each log in half.  Cut in half again.  Cut each section into thirds.  Pinch the edges of each dough ball closed.   Place about 6 balls into the bottom of bundt pan.  Brush with pepperoni oil.  Repeat layering and brushing with remaining dough balls.  Cover pan with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.  Heat oven to 400.
For sauce, heat oil in saucepan.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.  Add tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Bake bread 40 minutes.  Invert onto platter.  Serve with sauce.