Pesto Pita Pizza

INGREDIENTS
(for one pita)

Whole wheat pita bread, 6 inch round
3 tablespoons pesto
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tomato slices, halved
4 large basil leaves
1 tablespoon red or white onion, chopped
spritz of olive oil

1.  Preheat oven to 360 degrees F.

2.  Place pita(s) on a large baking sheet.  Top pita with pesto (swirl over top with a spoon), feta, tomato, basil, onion and olive oil.

3.  Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.  Serve hot.

Do not over bake or the basil leaves will burn and turn brown.  Even though the feta cheese will not be melted, the pita will be hot, and yummy.

Chicken Fajita Pizza

INGREDIENTS

Pizza Dough
3/4 cups lukewarm water
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Pizza Toppings
1 lb chicken, cooked and sliced into strips
olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, cored and sliced into strips
1 red bell pepper, cored and sliced into strips
1/2 cup mild salsa
2 cups Mexican style shredded cheese blend

1.  Combine the water and yeast in a large bowl until dissolved.  Add flour, salt and mix.

2.  Lay the dough out on a clean surface, along with any loose flour, and knead the dough until the flour is mixed.  About 5 minutes.  The dough should feel slightly moist and tacky.

3. Set dough aside in a medium bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and allow to rise for about an hour and a half.

4.  When ready to make the pizza, preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.


5.  Heat 2 - 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add chicken and stir frequently until lightly browned.


6.  Stir in garlic, chili powder and salt.


7.  Add onions, peppers, and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender yet firm.

8.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and lay the dough in the middle of it.  Using your hands, work the dough from the middle out until the dough is about 1/4 inch thick.  The dough will stick to the parchment paper as you work it out.  This will help make the process easier to form a 12 to 14 inch round.  Pierce the dough liberally with a fork.  Bake for 5 minutes.


9.  Remove pizza crust from oven, spoon salsa over crust, add chicken, vegetables and cheese.  Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust turns a golden brown.

Caprese Pizza

INGREDIENTS

Pizza Dough
3/4 cups lukewarm water
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground oregano

Pizza Toppings
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 cups cherry, grape or other small tomatoes, cut in half.
2 cups mozarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

1.  Combine the water and yeast in a large bowl until dissolved.  Add flour, salt, and oregano and mix.

2.  Lay the dough out on a clean surface, along with any loose flour, and knead the dough until the flour is mixed.  About 5 minutes.  The dough should feel slightly moist and tacky.

3. Set dough aside in a medium bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and allow to rise for about an hour and a half.

4.  When ready to make the pizza, preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.

5.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and lay the dough in the middle of it.  Using your hands, work the dough from the middle out until the dough is about 1/4 inch thick.  The dough will stick to the parchment paper as you work it out.  This will help make the process easier to form a 12 to 14 inch round.  Pierce the dough liberally with a fork.  Bake for 5 minutes.

6.  In small bowl, mix the olive oil and garlic.  Remove pizza from oven and spread mixture over crust.  Top with tomatoes, basil, and cheese.  Bake for 12 minutes or until cheese melts and crust has turned a golden brown.

7.  While pizza is baking, bring the balsamic vinegar to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium - low heat.  Simmer for about 10 minutes or until the vinegar is reduced by a half.

8.  Remove pizza from oven.  Drizzle with vinegar, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Top of with any left over small basil leaves.