Italian Garden Pizza Recipes

GARDEN-FRESH GRILLED VEGGIE PIZZA

Steps:

• Mix oil and garlic; brush onto both sides of vegetables. Sprinkle with pepper. Grill, covered, over medium heat until tender, 4-5 minutes per side for pepper and onion, 3-4 minutes per side for zucchini, 2-3 minutes per side for tomatoes., Coarsely chop pepper, onion and zucchini. Spread pizza crust with cream cheese; layer with 4 slices provolone and tomato slices. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup basil, carrots, oregano and thyme. Top with grilled vegetables, then remaining cheese., Grill pizza, covered, over medium heat until bottom is golden brown and cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes. Top with remaining basil.

MARGHERITA PIZZA

Steps:

• Begin by making the dough. Dissolve the brewer's yeast in 1 1/2 cups room-temperature water and add half the flour; mix quickly, cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes. Then add the rest of the flour and knead the dough vigorously for at least 10 minutes, then add the salt and mix again. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl covered with plastic wrap and let it rest, refrigerated, for 24 hours.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 2 hours. Next, stretch the dough out using your fingertips to extend it in a 13"x15" pan (or form two rounds about 10" in diameter), cover and let rest for another 30 minutes before adding toppings and baking.
• Preheat the oven to 465°F.
• Using your hands or the tines of a fork, break up the peeled tomatoes; salt them lightly. Top the 2 pizzas with the tomatoes and bake them with the pan on the bottom shelf of the oven for the first 5 minutes, then move them to the middle rack and continue baking for another 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and add bits of buffalo mozzarella and shredded basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

WHITE PIZZAS WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• Mix the dough: Combine the water, yeast, honey and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. When the yeast is dissolved, add 3 cups of flour, then 2 teaspoons salt, and mix on medium-low speed. While mixing, add up to 1 more cup of flour, or just enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth, sprinkling it with the flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to the bowl.
• Knead by hand: When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured board and knead it by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic.
• Let it rise: Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Make garlic oil: Place 1/2 cup of olive oil, the garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook for 10 minutes, making sure the garlic doesn't burn. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. (Be sure your oven is clean!)
• Portion the dough: Dump the dough onto a board and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Place the doughs on sheet pans lined with parchment paper and cover them with a damp towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
• Stretch the dough: Press and stretch each ball into an 8-inch circle and place 2 circles on each sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (If you've chilled the dough, take it out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes ahead to let it come to room temperature.)
• Top the dough: Brush the pizzas with the garlic oil, and sprinkle each one liberally with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the pizzas evenly with fontina, mozzarella and goat cheese. Drizzle each pizza with 1 tablespoon more of the garlic oil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the crusts are crisp and the cheeses begin to brown.
• Make the vinaigrette: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup of olive oil, the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Add the greens: When the pizzas are done, place the arugula in a large bowl and toss with just enough lemon vinaigrette to moisten. Place a large bunch of arugula on each pizza and a slice of lemon and serve immediately.

GARDEN PIZZA SUPREME

Steps:

• Roll dough into a 15-in. circle. Transfer to a greased 14-in. pizza pan, building up edges slightly. Place cheese slices on dough. Spread sauce over cheese. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheese, cauliflower, mushrooms, broccoli, onion, peppers and pepper rings., Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.