Pizza Taiyaki

There is an answer to a question that I had been asking myself for the better part of this week: Can I make… Pizza taiyaki?

The answer is, apparently, yes. Yes I can.

I was baking bread today and figured I could take some of the dough and make pizza–but not just any pizza. Pizza in my taiyaki pan. The great thing about being an adult is that you could pretty much make whatever you want, giant stuffed pizzas included, and there will be no one to stop you. I mean, it’s basically a calzone, and you can stuff it with whatever toppings you prefer in your pizza. Sausage? Sure, why not. Olives? Great, the more the merrier! Onions and peppers and anchovies? Pineapple and ham? Ahh, they all sounded wonderful to me.

You can use pizza dough and sauce bought from the store, or you could endeavor to make your own. I happened to have bread dough on hand (the recipe I will provide below.) You could also use the batter from my cheeseburger taiyaki recipe follow it that way, if you want a sweeter crust.

Ingredients (Makes 4 with leftover dough)

• 1 cup pizza dough (or 1 cup all purpose flour, 1 package yeast, 2/3 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt) or 1 cup cheeseburger taiyaki batter
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (or finely chopped tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder/flakes)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (or muenster)
• Flour for dusting
• Canola oil spray (or vegetable oil) for greasing taiyaki pan
• 4 tablespoons optional toppings (Sausage, pepperoni, onions, peppers, olives, anchovies, etc.)

1. Skip this step if using store bought pizza dough. If making bread dough, mix the flour, yeast, salt, and water together until a ball has been formed. Allow to rise for 1 hour. You will be able to use the leftover dough for a simple bread.
2. Mix marinara sauce, cheese, and optional toppings together.
3. Grease and heat taiyaki pan on medium heat.
4. Take a ball of dough, about 2 tablespoons large, and on a floured surface, roll it into a flat piece–the thinner, the more stuffing you can put, but be careful as it can leak out. Place 2 heaping tablespoons of the filling in the center of the dough, fold half the dough over and pinch closed. Repeat with as many as you want.
5. Place “pizza” into greased taiyaki mold and close. Alternatively if you’re using the cheeseburger taiyaki batter, pour until half the mold is full, add two tablespoons of filling, and then pour more batter on top. Allow to cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the outside crust is golden. I utilize the lock mechanism on the pan because the dough will rise during the cooking process.
6. Remove. Enjoy carefully as the fillings will be very hot!