Pesto Heirloom Tomato Pizza Recipes

PESTO-HEIRLOOM TOMATO PIZZA

Steps:

• Combine the first five ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is evenly combined yet still coarse in texture. You may need to add the spinach in batches if your processor has a small or medium-size container.
• Stop the machine and season the mixture gently with salt and pepper; taste to see if you'd like to add more lemon juice, then pulse a few times to mix.
• Bake pizza dough rounds in a preheated 425°F oven for 15 minutes, until crust is golden.
• Spread pizza crust with pesto, then load up with sliced heirloom tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and top with plenty of thinly sliced basil leaves. Some Vegan Parmesan-style cheese and fresh oregano leaves would add a nice touch, too. This can be served at room temperature.

GRILLED HEIRLOOM TOMATO AND PESTO PIZZAS

Steps:

• Divide pizza dough into 4 equal balls.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball out to a rough circle about 9 inches in diameter; brush each side of the circles with olive oil and place on baking sheets.
• Prepare a grill for medium heat cooking.
• Working with one piece of dough at a time, place it on the grill rack and cook, rotating the crust frequently with tongs to help it cook evenly, until darkly browned on the bottom and air bubbles form on top, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer browned-side up to the baking sheet; spread the browned side with 2 tablespoons pesto.
• Top with a few slices tomato (don't cover the entire surface or the pizza will end up soggy), sprinkle the top with 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and dot with goat cheese.
• Slide or lift the pizza back onto the grill, close the grill cover and cook, rotating the pizza every now and then, until the bottom is deeply browned and the cheese begins to melt, about 3 minutes.
• Slide or lift the pizza back onto the baking sheet.
• Repeat with the remaining dough.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO PESTO PAN PIZZA

Steps:

• If using store-bought dough, allow it to come fully to room temperature. If using dough kit, prepare dough according to package directions.
• Once dough is ready, preheat oven to the highest temperature it can go. For me it was 525°F.
• In a small blender, pulse all pesto ingredients until nearly smooth. Set aside.
• Grease a large baking sheet, or sprinkle with semolina flour if you have some in your pantry. On a large work surface, roll out pizza dough to the size of your baking sheet.
• Place dough in baking sheet. It should fit snugly inside.
• Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil. Pour pesto onto dough, spreading it evenly with the back of a large spoon.
• Place sliced mozzarella on top of pesto, spacing it evenly around the pizza. Top everything with tomato slices, then sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
• Bake pizza for 10-15 minutes, depending on the strength of your oven. It is done when the dough is golden brown and everything bubbling and deliciously melty.
• Grate some extra parm on top. Cut pizza into slices. Serve immediately.