Ciabatta Pizza With Squash Caponata Recipes

SQUASH AND RICOTTA PIZZA

Steps:

• In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until browned and caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in the sage and cook for 2 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, put a pizza stone in the lowest position in the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. (If you don't have a pizza stone, you can use a baking sheet.)
• On a piece of parchment on a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet, flatten out half the dough into a 10-inch round. Top with half of the ricotta, half of the Parmesan, a good pinch of salt and few turns of pepper, half of the onion and half of the squash shavings. Brush the squash with a thin even layer of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone (or heated baking sheet) and bake until the crust and squash are lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Repeat with the rest of the toppings on the other half of the dough.
• While the pizza is baking, toss the arugula with the lemon juice, a pinch of salt and a few turns of pepper.
• Top the pizzas with the arugula salad, additional Parmesan shavings and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper.

SQUASH CAPONATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, toss the squash with the sugar and half of the olive oil. Season with salt and stir in the oregano. Arrange the squash in a single layer on a baking sheet and place it in the center of the oven. Cook until the squash is tender but still holds its shape and is somewhat firm, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the red wine vinegar and the raisins. Set aside.
• Heat a medium skillet and add a little of the remaining olive oil. When it begins to smoke lightly, add the onions and garlic. Season with salt and cook until they are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the tomatoes, celery, zucchini, capers, and olives. Stir to blend. Refrigerate.
• When the squash is cooked, remove from the oven and allow it to cool. Stir it into the onion mixture. Stir in the raisins and vinegar. Taste for seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

CIABATTA PIZZAS WITH STICKY ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and heat the oil in a large, lidded frying pan. Add the onions, garlic and rosemary with a splash of water, cover, then cook for about 10 mins until soft. Remove the lid, turn up the heat, then cook for a few more mins.
• Stir in the peppers, olives and some seasoning. Place the ciabatta halves, facing upwards, on a baking tray. Divide the mixture over the bread, spreading a little to cover. Sprinkle over the cheese, then bake for 10 mins or until the cheese is bubbling. These are delicious with a green salad.

SUMMER SQUASH CAPONATA

Steps:

• Pour 1/2 inch olive oil into a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add enough zucchini to cover bottom of pan. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Let zucchini sizzle and brown slightly. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Continue cooking zucchini and summer squash in batches, adding oil to the pan as necessary.
• In the same skillet, cook the onions over medium-high heat, stirring, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add celery and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and transfer onion mixture to bowl with zucchini.
• To the bowl, add red-pepper flakes, sugar, vinegar and capers. Toss gently together. Taste and adjust, making sure the seasoning is bright, with a balanced sweet-sour flavor. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes and taste again. (If time permits, let the flavors marry for an hour or more before serving. The caponata may be refrigerated for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature to serve.)
• Transfer mixture to a large platter. Top with olives and hard-cooked eggs, halved or quartered. Garnish with parsley and basil leaves. Serve at room temperature with toasted bread for making crostini.

FLORENTINE CIABATTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat: stir in seasonings. Cool completely., Preheat oven to 400°. Place bread on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 5-7 minutes on each side. Spread with garlic oil. Top with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers and spinach; sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes longer. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve immediately.