How To Make a Pizza La Reine

Here is a La Reine Pizza recipe scaled to make 6 individual pizzas (about 10–11 inches each). “La Reine” is a classic French-style pizza with ham, mushrooms, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and olives.

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La Reine Pizza (6 Portions)

Serves: 6 individual pizzas

Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus dough rising)

Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per pizza

Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes (includes rising)

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Ingredients

For the Dough (makes 6 pizza bases)

• 1 kg (about 8 cups) all-purpose or bread flour

• 2 tsp salt

• 2 tsp sugar

• 2 × 7g packets (14g total) instant yeast

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• ~600 ml (2½ cups) warm water (add slowly—may need a little more or less)

For the Sauce

• 1 can (400g / 14 oz) crushed tomatoes or pizza sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• Salt & pepper to taste

Toppings (per 6 pizzas)

• 500–700g (1 to 1½ lbs) low-moisture mozzarella, shredded or sliced

• 300–350g (10–12 oz) cooked ham, sliced into strips

• 300g (10 oz) mushrooms, thinly sliced and sautéed to remove moisture

• A handful of pitted black olives

• Optional: fresh basil for garnish

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Equipment

• Large mixing bowl

• Wooden spoon or stand mixer with dough hook

• Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap

• Rolling pin (optional; hand stretching works too)

• Baking sheets or pizza stones

• Oven capable of 250°C / 475°F or as hot as it will go

• Skillet for mushrooms

• Ladle or large spoon

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Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.

2. In a separate cup, mix warm water and yeast; let sit 5 minutes until foamy.

3. Add yeast mix and olive oil to flour mixture.

4. Mix and knead (by hand 8–10 min or mixer 5–6 min) until smooth and elastic.

5. Form dough into a ball, place in lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.

2. Prepare the Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a small pan.

2. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute (don’t brown).

3. Add tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

4. Simmer 10 minutes, then set aside.

3. Prepare Toppings

• Sauté mushrooms in a dry pan until they release liquid and begin to brown—this prevents a soggy pizza.

• Slice ham, olives, and cheese.

4. Shape the Pizzas

1. Divide dough into 6 equal balls.

2. Rest them 5 minutes to relax.

3. Stretch each into a 10–11 inch round.

5. Build the Pizzas

For each pizza:

1. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce.

2. Add mozzarella.

3. Add mushrooms and ham.

4. Finish with olives.

6. Bake

• Bake at 250°C / 475°F (or highest oven setting) for 10–12 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.

• If using a pizza stone, preheat stone for at least 30 minutes before baking.

7. Serve

• Add fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

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Tips

• Higher heat = better crust. If your oven has a pizza or grill/broiler mode, use it at the end for browning.

• Don’t overload toppings—La Reine is balanced and elegant, not heavy.

• Dough can be made a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge.