Fresh Pesto Pizza Food

PESTO PIZZA WITH FRESH TOMATOES & MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Combine the flour, olive oil, yeast, salt and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together. Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• When the dough has risen, punch it down and place it on a lightly floured surface. Cut in half and roll each part into a ball. Cover the dough balls with a damp kitchen towel and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes (the dough will rise a bit).
• Meanwhile, set an oven rack in the bottom position and preheat the oven to 500°F. Sprinkle the cornmeal on an 18x13-inch baking sheet; set aside. Cut the tomatoes crosswise into ⅛-inch-thick slices and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the juices.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour, and then press and stretch the rested dough into two 12x8-inch rectangles. If the dough is sticky, dust it lightly with flour. Place the two pizza doughs side-by-side on the cornmeal-dusted baking sheet. Press the dough out again so that it almost touches the edges of the pan.
• Spread ⅓ cup of the pesto evenly over the pizzas (2½ tablespoons each), leaving a 1-inch border. Bake on the bottom rack for 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven; and then top the pizzas with the mozzarella cheese, followed by the tomato slices and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Season each pizza with an ⅛-teaspoon salt and a few grinds fresh black pepper. Place the pizzas back in the oven and bake until the crust is crisp and golden, 6 to 8 minutes more. Transfer the pizzas to a cutting board. Drizzle the remaining pesto over the pizzas and sprinkle with the fresh basil. Cut into slices and serve immediately.
• Note: Active dry yeast may be used instead of instant/rapid-rise yeast, however, the dough will take longer to rise. To give active dry yeast a boost, you can dissolve it in the warm water and let it sit until frothy, about 10 minutes. After that, add it to the flour, olive oil, and salt, and proceed with the recipe.
• Make Ahead Instructions: Once the dough has completed it's initial rise, and you've cut it in half to form two balls, lightly coat each dough ball with olive oil. Place the dough ball(s) into a freezer bag and seal shut, squeezing out all the air. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 days. When ready to use, let the dough sit out on the countertop for 30 minutes to warm up before stretching.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, defrost in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 12 hours), and then let it warm up on the countertop for about 30 minutes before stretching.

PESTO PIZZA WITH FRESH TOMATOES & MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Make homemade Pizza Dough as per instructions, let dough** rest for approximately 15-20 minutes before rolling
• Pre heat oven to 425 F (220 C).
• Shape the dough into a lightly greased pizza or cookie sheet, spread the Arugula Pesto or Basil Pesto (if you prefer) on top, then top with shredded mozzarella and sliced tomatoes. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until crust is baked and cheese is melted. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
• **Whether store bought or homemade pizza dough should rest for approximately 20 minutes before shaping into a round or oval shape. It keeps the dough from springing back when shaping.

PESTO PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread basil pesto on each of two pizza crusts.
• Layer each crust with plum tomato; sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese. (Or, layer with just cheese, using 3 ounces thinly sliced fresh mozzarella.) Season with coarse salt and ground pepper.
• Transfer to a baking sheet; bake until cheese has melted and crust is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Slice, and serve immediately.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
• If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

RUSTIC PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: place the toasted pine nuts in a bowl (or mortar) and crush with a wooden spoon (or pestle) to make a chunky paste. Add in the garlic and a pinch of salt and combine. Mix in the basil and Parmesan. Stir in the olive oil and season with pepper.
• Put a pizza stone onto the floor of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put the dough onto a floured surface and knead and stretch the dough to about an 8-inch diameter. Dust a wooden pizza paddle with cornmeal and carefully transfer the dough. Spread the pesto over the dough, leaving 1-inch around the edge to form a crust. Top with the onion and tomato slices and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the olives all over the pizza and top with the fresh mozzarella. Slide the pizza onto the stone and bake until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.

PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Spread pesto on pizza crust. Top with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, red onions, artichoke hearts and feta cheese.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.

PESTO SAUCE (FOR PIZZA ESPECIALLY)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
• Puree until the mixture forms a smooth, thick paste.
• Topping ideas for pesto pizza: Sliced crimini mushrooms.
• Reconstituted sun-dried tomatoes.
• Sliced black olives.
• Shaved Parmesan cheese.

PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
• Lightly oil a 12-inch pizza pan and dust it with cornmeal.
• Roll and stretch the dough to fit pan, leaving a thicker rim along the edge. Spread dough evenly with pesto.
• Mix cheeses together and sprinkle evenly over the pesto. Place pizza on bottom shelf of preheated oven and bake until the crust has browned and the cheese is bubbly and just turning golden, about 20 minutes. Serve at once.

PROSCIUTTO PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Unroll and press dough onto bottom of a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Spread pesto over pizza dough; sprinkle with cheese, prosciutto, edamame and almonds. Bake until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, 15-18 minutes.

PESTO PIZZA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425ºF/220ºC and prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper or corn meal.
• Add flour, yeast, and salt to the Vitamix and pulse at variable 5 several times. Remove the lid plug and slowly add the water and olive oil while pulsing at variable 6. Stop pulsing once all of the water and oil have been added, and the dough forms a ball.
• Place dough in an oiled bowl and flip it over so both sides get oiled. Rest until ready to use (at least 15 to 20 minutes).
• In the 16-oz container, blend Parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil, and garlic cloves on variable 4 until smooth.
• Add basil, then continue blend on variable 2 for 10 seconds, then increase to variable 6 and blend until smooth. If the mixture is not blending, add additional olive oil or a tablespoon of water or lemon juice, then continue to blend until smooth.
• On the sheet pan, stretch out half of the dough to form a 12-14-inch (30 - 35 cm) pizza crust. Save remaining dough for later. (Tip: Leftover pizza dough makes for great cinnamon rolls!)
• Spread half of the pesto onto the pizza dough and sprinkle with mozzarella. (Save remaining pesto for another time or freeze for up to 1 month.)
• Add onions and chicken to the top of the pizza and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese has melted and crust is light golden brown. Sprinkle with chopped tomatoes and a few fresh basil leaves.
• Enjoy!

PESTO AND MOZZARELLA FRENCH BREAD PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Heat the oven to 450 degrees with a rack in the middle position. Combine basil, 1 garlic clove and pine nuts in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped. With the machine running, stream in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add Parmesan and salt, and pulse to combine.
• Prepare the pizza: Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil and grated garlic in a small pot over medium. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the garlic starts to sizzle (but doesn't begin to brown), 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place the French bread cut side up on a baking sheet. Brush cut sides with garlic oil. Bake until edges are golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Spread the pesto over the two halves all the way to the edges and top with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is evenly melted, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to broil and broil (watch carefully!) until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes more. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Top with red-pepper flakes, oregano and more Parmesan, if you like.