Diva Licious Pesto Pizza Recipes

GOURMET PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• If the pizza dough has been refrigerated, take it out and let it warm up a bit.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan and then add the mushrooms and chopped onions. Saute until soft. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute or two. If there is liquid remaining in the pain, drain it.
• Stretch out the pizza dough onto a lightly oiled pizza pan, or a pizza stone.
• spread the pesto sauce onto the dough -- it's best of the pesto is a little less oily than usual: if I buy store-bought I let it separate a bit in the container and then avoid the oil rather than mixing it back inches.
• Top with the sauteed vegetables, then the shredded cheese.
• Add the black olives and small (1/2 inch cubes) chunks of the goat cheese.
• Bake according to the instructions on the dough or dough recipe (generally 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes).
• Slice and enjoy!

DIVA-LICIOUS PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425º.
• Prepare pesto sauce by combining basil, pine nuts, garlic and parmesan in blender or food processor. Blend well.
• Slowly drizzle olive oil in blender or processor while blending, until thick.
• Season to taste with salt. (None may be necessary.).
• Set aside.
• Heat a little olive oil in skillet and saute mushrooms a few minutes to increase flavor. (If using fresh red bell pepper, add with mushrooms.) Cool slightly.
• Spread pesto sauce over pizza crust.
• Evenly distribute provolone, red bell peppers, black olives and artichokes over pesto.
• Sprinkle with additional parmesan, if desired.
• Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

SHRIMP PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Cook pizza dough according to directions.
• Toss shrimp with oregano, salt, and pepper.
• When the pizza crust directions call for it, spread the pesto onto the crust.
• Top with crumbled goat cheese.
• Top with shrimp.
• Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
• Cook for 10-12 more minutes.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) MUSHROOM FETA PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Place the oven rack on the middle rung; preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• If your pizza crust is unbaked, pre-bake it for 5 minutes.
• Combine the olive oil and pesto, then spread crust with the mixture.
• Place eggplant and mushrooms evenly over the pesto, then sprinkle with the feta cheese.
• Season the pizza with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste.
• Bake on pizza pan or on pizza stone in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or the eggplant is cooked to preference, the crust edges are golden, and the feta is soft and beginning to brown (make sure to check it occasionally so that pizza doesn't burn).
• Note: those folks who like it a bit spicier can garnish their servings with red pepper flakes; also it's even better if you use prepared eggplant - take a look at my posted recipe "Hopvine's Marinated Roasted Eggplant".

PROSCIUTTO PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Flour pizza dough and roll out to 12 inches in diameter.
• Spread pesto on dough with the back of a spoon.
• Spread ricotta on top of pesto.
• Lay strips of proscuitto on top of ricotta.
• Cover the proscuitto with mozarella.
• Add olives and tomatoes in an even layer on pizza.
• Sprinkle parmesan on top.
• Bake at 450 for 10-15 minutes or until very golden. (We like ours cheese pretty brown).
• Let cool 3-5 minutes before slicing.