Pesto Pizza

For all the pizza lovers out there who would like to try something new, pesto pizza is a fresh tasting variation of the traditional pizza.

Soft dough is layered with a sharp pesto sauce topped with complimenting flavors of mozzarella and tomatoes, to make the perfect combination. The freshness of the pesto perfectly balances the heaviness of the cheese and enunciates the sweet taste of the tomatoes.

Try this recipe at home to taste all these flavors that will make you love pizza even more.

Health Benefits

Although pizza is not the healthiest of meals, it can be a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. If you substitute ingredients with healthier ones and lower the amount of cheese and oil, it can be provide more benefits.

Calories per serving: 900 Kcal

Ingredients

garlic cloves (coarsely chopped): 8

tbsp olive oil: 2

cups fresh basil: 2

cup Parmesan cheese (grated): 3/4

cup pine nuts (lightly roasted): 1

cup extra virgin olive oil: 1

tbsp lemon juice: 2

salt to taste

lbs of pizza dough (store bought or homemade): 2

lbs cherry tomatoes: 1/2

ounces fresh mozzarella (sliced): 8

cups provolone or fontina cheese (grated): 2

red chili flakes to taste

basil for garnish

How To Make Pesto Pizza

1. If you are using homemade pizza dough prepare and let it rise the night before you want make the pizza. And if you are using store-bought dough, let it thaw out the night before in the fridge.
2. Pre heat the pizza stone set to 500 degree F.
3. Cut the tomatoes in 1/8 inch slices and keep aside.

Pesto Sauce

1. Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic for 15 seconds, until the rawness in gone to seat it. Remove pan from heat to cool it down.
2. Add basil, garlic with oil, olive oil, pine nuts, parmesan and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse into a thick mixture.
3. The pesto should not be too runny, but spreadable. If sauce is too thick, add more olive oil.
4. Pour the sauce into a bowl, season with salt and keep aside.

Pesto Pizza

1. Divide the dough into 4 equal balls.
2. Dust flour in a clean kitchen counter and roll out the dough into a 3 inch ball. Then start stretching the ball into a 9 inch circle with your hands.
3. Transfer the dough onto a floured baker’s peel carefully.
4. Spread the pesto sauce evenly on the pizza rounds, leaving a 1 inch border on the corners.
5. Sprinkle the grated provolone evenly and arrange tomatoes and mozzarella slices.
6. Season the top with salt, pepper and red chili flakes.
7. Transfer the pizza on the preheating stone in the oven and bakes for 10-15 minutes; or until the dough is crisp and brown and the cheese is sizzling.
8. Take out on a cutting board with a baker’s peel and serve immediately.

Trivia

• The first ever pizza was prepared by Raffaele Esposito in the honor of Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. The Margarita Pizza people enjoy today is named the queen and has the colors of the Italian flag.