Grilled Margherita Pizza

Grilled Margherita Pizza
Original recipe by www.foodandwine.com

The only complicated thing about this recipe is getting the pizza dough on the grill. You might lose your round or oval shaped dough, but trust me, this will be delicious!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 large tomatoes, sliced
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt
Pepper
Pizza dough, divided
1 to 1 1/2 lbs. mozzarella, shredded, divided
Fresh basil, torn

Directions:

Light a grill and oil the grate.

Spread the tomato slices on a platter and top with the 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the minced garlic. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Divide your pizza dough in half. The directions below are for one 12-inch pizza. Repeat the directions for the second 12-inch pizza.

On a lightly oiled large baking sheet, stretch 1 ball of pizza dough to a 12-inch oval or round and brush with olive oil. Grill the dough over moderate heat until lightly charred on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the crust and scatter half the mozzarella on top. Close grill and cook until the cheese is melted and the crust is firm, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large board and top with half of the tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Garnish with torn basil.

Repeat with the remaining dough, mozzarella, tomatoes, seasoning and basil for the second 12-inch pizza.

Cut the pizza and serve.

Spring Pizza

Spring Pizza
Original recipe by Eating Well 

This is a healthy, great tasting pizza. I altered the recipe by adding the sun-dried tomatoes and sliced artichoke hearts. I bought the garlic & herb pizza dough at Trader Joe's.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup sun-ripened dried tomatoes in olive oil
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, sliced
1/2 cup snipped fresh chives, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound pizza dough (whole-wheat, plain or garlic & herbs)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Position rack in lower third of oven, place a pizza stone or large pizza pan on the rack and preheat oven to 450 degrees for at least 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons oil and garlic in a small bowl; set aside. Trim asparagus spears to about 6 inches long; slice any thicker stalks in half lengthwise. Toss in a bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 cup chives, salt and pepper.

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about a 14-inch circle.

Carefully remove the pizza stone or pan from the oven and set on a heatproof surface, such as your stovetop. Place the dough on the stone or pan and brush with the reserved garlic-oil mixture. Arrange the asparagus in a circular pattern on the dough with the tips facing out. Top with cheese and the remaining chives.

Carefully return the stone or pan to the oven and bake the pizza on the lower rack until crispy and golden and the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.

368 calories

Italian Sausage Stromboli

Italian Sausage Stromboli

Ingredients:

Olive oil
1 medium sweet onion, diced
4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound spicy Italian sausage
1/2 cup "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce" or any pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (13.8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Link to "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce"
http://crowdedkitchen509.blogspot.com/2012/04/all-time-favorite-tomato-sauce.html

Directions:

In a large saucepan, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil and saute the diced onions for 4 to 5 minutes.  Add the minced  garlic and saute for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the Italian sausage and cook until there is no pink visible.  Remove from the heat and drain any excess fat from the pan.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

On parchment paper, stretch the dough into a 10 x 13-inch rectangle.

Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.  Arrange the cooked sausage on top, and then drizzle with the "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce".  Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Begin to roll the dough starting from the widest edge.  Arrange seem side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Brush the top and sides with the melted butter.

Sprinkle the seasonings on top, and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 18 minutes.

Allow to rest 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into 1 to 2-inch slices.  Serve with additional "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce" for dipping.

4 servings

Pizza Primavera

Pizza Primavera
Recipe submitted by David Gaimari

"Primavera" means "springtime" in Italian, which in culinary terms means fresh vegetables.

Ingredients:

1 (10 oz) ready to bake pizza crust

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

3 plum tomatoes, sliced
1 (8 oz) package sliced mushrooms
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large zucchini, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 (8 oz) mozzarella cheese, sliced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Unroll dough, and press dough onto a greased 10 x 15-inch rectangle baking sheet.

Combine oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Spread the olive oil mixture evenly on pizza dough.

Scatter toppings (tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, basil, and mozzarella cheese) over pizza dough.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Serves 6

Recipe submitted by David Gaimari

Spinach and Ricotta Pizza

Spinach and Ricotta Pizza
Recipe by Cooking Club

Ingredients:

1 (9 oz) package frozen spinach, thawed
1 (15 oz) container light ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 egg white
2 teaspoons basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper

1 (10 oz) Boboli pizza crust

1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 small red onion, sliced and separated into rings
1/2 cup  (2 oz) provolone cheese, shredded

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Squeeze thawed spinach until most of the moisture is gone.

In a large bowl, stir together the spinach, ricotta, garlic, egg white, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.

Place pizza crust on round pizza pan.

Spread crust with spinach mixture.

Top with bell peppers and onions.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove pizza from oven, and sprinkle with shredded provolone cheese.

Bake pizza for 10 additional minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.