Mediterranean Pesto Pizza Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread pesto onto each pita; top with feta cheese, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Place each pita onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes.

Steps:

• For the dough: Mix the sugar and yeast in 1 1/2 cups warm water (100 to 110 degrees F).
• Let sit until foamy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in the olive oil. In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the yeast mixture with the flour and salt and mix on low until smooth.
• Switch to the dough hook and knead on medium, adding a little more flour or water if needed, until the dough forms a loose, sticky ball around the hook. Increase the speed to medium-high and knead until the dough is soft, smooth and springy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Put the dough in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• For the topping: Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the basil, pine nuts, garlic and 3 cups of the arugula. Process to make a chunky paste. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and process until smooth. Add the Parmesan and pulse just until incorporated. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• In a medium skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
• When the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 500 degrees F with a baking stone on the bottom rack.
• Punch down the dough. Brush an 18-by-13-inch rimmed half-sheet pan liberally with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the pan and press it all the way into the corners (it helps to cover the dough with a sheet of plastic wrap while pressing so the dough doesn't stick to your fingers).
• Bake on the preheated stone until the dough has puffed and just begins to color, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the oven, loosen from the baking sheet with a metal spatula and brush lightly with olive oil. (The crust can be baked ahead to this point and topped and finished in the oven later, if desired.)
• Spread the pesto on the dough almost to the edges. Top with the mozzarella, feta, artichokes, cooked bacon and jalapeno slices.
• Bake on the top rack until the cheese is browned and crusty, about 8 minutes more.
• In a large bowl, toss the remaining 3 cups arugula with the remaining tablespoon olive oil and the jalapeno brine. Season with salt and pepper and scatter over the pizza. Cut into squares to serve.

Steps:

• Drain artichokes, reserving marinade. Chop artichokes; set aside. On a floured surface, roll bread dough into a 15-in. circle. Transfer to a greased 14-in. pizza pan; build up edges slightly. Brush the dough lightly with reserved marinade., Combine the basil, oregano and thyme; sprinkle over marinade. Sprinkle with 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, ham, artichokes, tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. Sprinkle with remaining Monterey Jack cheese. , Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until crust and cheese are lightly browned.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Brush pizza shell with olive oil.
• Spread pesto sauce thoroughly over the surface of the shell, leaving the edge as a crust.
• Top with olives, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, wilted spinach leaves and cover with cheeses.
• Place pizza directly on oven rack for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted from centre to edge.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a microwave-safe bowl with water and salt. Cover and microwave on High for 5 minutes or until tender; drain and set aside.
• Spread pizza crust with pesto, then top with eggplant, cheese and pine nuts. Grill over indirect heat for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is crisp; top with basil.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet; cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 5-6 minutes; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and rosemary; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 6-9 minutes., Place pita halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Top with meat mixture, tomato, spinach and olives. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 400° until cheeses are melted, 4-6 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Spread pesto on pizza crust. Top with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, red onions, artichoke hearts and feta cheese.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.