Gourmet Pesto Pizza Recipes

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!

Steps:

• For the pizza dough: Place the warm water in a small bowl and stir in the yeast and sugar until dissolved. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and set aside until the liquid is foamy (about 10 minutes).
• In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the yeast mixture and oil. With a wooden spoon, beat the ingredients together to form a soft, sticky mass.
• Turn the dough onto a well-floured work surface. With floured hands, knead the dough, adding more flour, a little at a time, until smooth and elastic, 8 to 12 minutes. Form the dough into a ball.
• Place the dough in a large bowl that has been brushed with oil. Turn the dough to coat all sides with oil. Cover with wax paper and a clean towel, and place in a warm draft free place. Let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• With a floured fist, punch down the dough. Cover again and allow the dough to rise another 40 minutes.
• The dough is now ready to be rolled out for a pizza.
• For the pesto pizza: Place the rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the rolled-out pizza dough onto a 16-inch oiled pizza pan or screen.
• Place the pesto onto the pizza dough and spread it around the surface of the pizza. Leave about a 1/2-inch border on the outside of dough.
• Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the pizza. Place the chopped chicken on top of the cheese.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Check it occasionally to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Remove the cooked pizza from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes (if you can wait that long). Sprinkle the basil on top of pizza, then cut and enjoy!