Eggplant Bottomed Pizza Recipes

BONUS RECIPE: EGGPLANT-BOTTOMED PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place eggplant slices on the baking sheet and cook until slightly soft, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix well and set aside.
• Carefully remove the sheet from oven. Evenly spread the tomato mixture over the eggplant slices. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and evenly top with mushrooms, pepper, and onion.
• Bake in the oven until the cheese has melted and the toppings are hot, about 10 additional minutes.
• Sprinkle with the Parm-style topping and enjoy!

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND BUFFALO MOZZARELLA PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the dough: Mix the yeast, warm water and olive oil in the bowl of an electric stand mixer or food processor, and let the mixture sit until the yeast is foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add in flour and salt, and using the dough hook or food processor blade, beat or pulse it until a smooth, slightly elastic dough forms, 2 to 3 minutes. Lightly coat a bowl with olive oil, place dough in the bowl, and turn the dough to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl loosely with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, place in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight.
• Divide the dough in quarters, and shape each piece into a tight, compact ball. Place the dough balls on a lightly oiled baking sheet or plate, loosely cover with plastic wrap and let them rise in the refrigerator another 1 to 2 hours (or up to 6 hours).
• When ready to bake the pizzas, place racks in the top third and bottom third of the oven. Put a pizza stone on top rack, and heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Prepare the toppings: On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the eggplant generously with oil, salt and pepper. Roast eggplant on the bottom rack until caramelized and tender, 40 to 45 minutes, tossing halfway through. Remove from the oven and raise the oven heat to 500 degrees.
• On a piece of parchment paper, stretch out one of the balls of dough to a 12-inch round. Spread 2 tablespoons tomato purée on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Scatter on 1/4 of the sliced garlic, a large pinch of red-pepper flakes and drizzle with oil to taste.
• Arrange 1/4 of the roasted eggplant on top. Use a pizza peel or cookie sheet to slide the parchment onto the pizza stone. Bake until crispy and golden on the top and bottom, 7 to 10 minutes. Use tongs to pull the pizza out of the oven and onto a wire rack to cool.
• Immediately top with chunks of cheese, pulling it apart with your hands into bite-size pieces. Top with basil, more oil to taste and flaky sea salt. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.

EGGPLANT PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat the eggs in a bowl. Mix the flour, salt, pepper, and oregano in a 1 gallon resealable plastic bag. Dip each eggplant slice in the egg, then drop the eggplant in the flour mixture one at a time, shaking the bag to coat the eggplant.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Place the eggplant slices in the skillet to cook, turning occasionally, until evenly browned. Drain the eggplant slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Arrange the eggplant in one layer on a baking sheet. Spoon enough pizza sauce to cover each eggplant slice. Top each eggplant with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the mozzarella cheese is melted, 5 to 10 minutes.