Salami, Spinach, and Mozzarella Pizza Roll

Pizza is one of Dustin's and my favorite food.  We have pizza for dinner at least once a week--I'm also pretty sure Dustin lived on pizza before we moved in together.  I like trying new flavors of pizza; some recent favorites have been arugula and prosciutto and a Greek flavored pizza with olives and feta.  Dustin normally sticks to classic flavor profiles

For this pizza roll I wanted to combine a fluffy dough and a some salami I had languishing in my fridge! I also added baby spinach and mozzarella cheese, and used a spicy marinara dipping sauce instead of putting pizza sauce inside of the pizza roll.

The salami adds a spicy savory flavor, the spinach adds a freshness and a much needed vegetable into this dinner.  And who can have pizza without cheese!  Shredded mozzarella cheese is delicious and adds a gooey cheesy flavor that also helps hold the pizza roll together.  And the spicy marinara is a great dipping sauce with 'sticks' of pizza roll.  Try this salami, spinach, mozzarella pizza roll for the next pizza night at your house!

Salami, Spinach, and Mozzarella Pizza Roll

author: Happy Food Happy Home

makes 8 servings

Dough

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

1 cup warm water

2 ½-3 cups all purpose or bread flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

Filling

¼ pound salami, sliced thin

2 cups baby spinach leaves

black pepper

4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

olive oil for topping

1. For the dough, combine the yeast and water.  Whisk together and let sit for 5 minutes. 
2. Meanwhile in a medium mixing bowl whisk together 2 ½ cups of flour, the sugar, and the salt. 
3. Using a fork mix together the yeast and water and the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
4. On a floured surface knead the dough for 5-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and springy.
5. Put the dough in an oiled bowl and  cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
7. On a floured surface roll the dough out into a 12 by 18 inch rectangle.  The dough will be about a ½ inch thick. 
8. Place the salami in a layer on the dough.  Overlap the salami by about half.  Start along a long edge placing the salami right next to the edge--this will be the inner edge of your roll.  When you reach the other long edge leave about a half inch gap to help close the roll. 
9. Add the spinach in an even layer on top of the salami.  Top with black pepper to taste.  Make sure to leave the half inch gap along the outer edge.
10. Add the mozzarella cheese on top of the spinach in an even layer.  
11. Begin rolling the dough; gently fold the inner long edge over approximately 1 inch.  Continue to tightly roll up the dough keeping the ingredients inside. 
12. One the roll is completely rolled tightly pinch the long edge closed, pulling the dough around the fillings. 
13. Transfer the dough to a parchment lined baking sheet.  Drizzle the top with olive oil and rub all over the top of the roll.
14. Place roll in oven and bake for 45-50 minutes.  When cooked the dough will be lightly brown and crispy.  The internal temperature should be 200 degrees F. 
15. Allow roll to rest for approximately 10 minutes before serving.  

Spicy Marinara Sauce

author: Happy Food Happy Home

Glug of olive oil

½ medium onion, diced

1 garlic clove, minced

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning

¼ teaspoon fennel seeds

¼ teaspoon oregano

¼ teaspoon wine (optional)

1 can diced tomatoes or tomato puree

1. In a medium sauce pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. 
2. When oil is shiny add the onion and cook until translucent.
3. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, fennel, and oregano.  Cook for 30 seconds until garlic is fragrant.  
4. Add wine and allow to simmer for 1 minute.  If not using the wine, skip this step.
5. Add tomatoes and bring sauce to a simmer. 
6. If desired you can puree the sauce with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. 

Is pizza on your dinner rotation?  You will love this pizza roll when you try it!