Pizza With Pesto Fresh Tomatoes And Mozzarella Recipes

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.

MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the pizza crust(s) on a pizza pan or a large baking sheet. Spread the crust(s) with pesto sauce. Top with the peppers, tomatoes, olives, and pine nuts. Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella, and place the mozzarella slices on top. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until the pizza has reached the desired doneness.

GRILLED PESTO PIZZA WITH MARINATED MOZZARELLA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Add to a high-powered blender the basil, arugula, Parmesan, garlic and a pinch of salt and blend while streaming in the mozzarella oil until smooth. Taste and add salt as needed. Set aside.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to high (500 to 550 F.) While your grill is heating, lightly oil a large sheet pan (or 3 half-sheet pans) and place your dough balls on top. Use your fingers to stretch the pizza dough balls into a loose circle or oval about 1/8-inch-thick. Don't get too hung up on the shape, irregular is beautiful. Work your way around the dough to make sure that it's an even thickness throughout. Lightly brush oil on the top of the dough as well. Lightly sprinkle the tomatoes with salt.
• Place your doughs on the hot grill and close the lid. Cook until golden brown char marks appear and the doughs are cooked on the underside, 2 to 3 minutes. Open the lid of the grill, flip the doughs over and quickly spoon the pesto over top of the cooked side leaving a little border for the crust. Top with the sliced tomatoes and marinated mozzarella. Close the lid and cook until the cheese melts and the doughs are completely cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the grill and enjoy.

SKINNY FRESH MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO PIZZA

Steps:

• In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in half of the flour, the salt, sugar and 1 teaspoon oil. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 minutes or until smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with shortening. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover, let rise in warm place 20 minutes. Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 48 hours. (If dough should double in size during refrigeration, gently push fist into dough to deflate.
• Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 425°F. Grease cookie sheet or 12-inch pizza pan with oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Pat dough into 12-inch round on cookie sheet or pat in pizza pan using floured fingers. Press dough from center to edge so edge is slightly thicker than center.
• Cut cheese into 1/4-inch slices. Place cheese on dough to within 1/2 inch of edge. Arrange tomatoes on cheese. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of the basil, the oregano and capers. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Bake about 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons basil.

PESTO, TOMATO, MOZZARELLA ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZA

Steps:

• Toast your english muffin.
• Spread pesto on top.
• Put a slice of tomato over pesto.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella.
• Put in oven on 350°F until cheese is melted.
• Enjoy.

MOZZARELLA, PESTO AND TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Prebake a 9" pie crust according to the package directions until barely golden brown.
• Preheat oven to 400 degree farenheit.
• Remove from oven and add the shredded cheeses.
• Let cool.
• Prepare pesto by grinding together all the ingredients and adding enough oil to form a coarse,thick paste.
• Core tomatoes and slice into 1/2 inch thick rings.
• Salt the slices liberally and place them on paper towels for 30 minutes.
• Press slices to extract all the liquid and wipe off as much salt as possible.
• Assemble the pie: Place the sliced mozzarella onto the cooled pie shell (arrange enough slices to closely fit into the shell).
• All the slices you may have might not be needed.
• Spread the pesto over the mozzarella in a thick layer to coat the cheese well.
• Arrange sliced tomatoes on top and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake for 15 min until cheese melts and pie is golden brown.