Mediterranean Whole Wheat Pizza Recipes

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine water with honey and yeast, stir to dissolve. Mix in half of the flour until it makes a smooth batter. Let sit for around 10 minutes until it looks bubbly or foamy. This creates a sponge.
• Mix the remaining flour, salt and olive oil into the sponge. If you are using a heavy duty mixer, use the paddle attachment on low speed until it makes shaggy dough. Switch to the bread hook and knead the dough for around 4-6 minutes at medium/low speed until it's satiny and springs back to the touch. It should be easy to handle and only a little sticky.
• If you are making this by hand, it will take strong a strong back and hands to get the right "pizza" texture. Once you've combined the ingredients into kneadable dough, turn it out onto a clean lightly floured surface and knead it by hand for a good 10 minutes until is is satiny and springy. Don't add too much flour while kneading or the dough will be tough. Did I mention how much I love my Kitchen Aid Mixer? I love it!
• Divide the dough into 4 equal portions, set aside one for your pizza. Take the other 3 portion, form into a ball and flatten into a thick disc. I just stick them into individual quart size freezer bags and put them into the freezer. When you want pizza, pull the crust from the freezer and let it sit out on the counter for at least 1 hour to thaw. It should be close to room temp, but don't let it sit too long or it will start to rise.
• When I'm ready to make my actual pizza, I preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Place one of the oven shelves on the bottom rack. To get good pizza, it takes a very hot oven. I lightly oil the bar or pizza pan with olive oil and my hands. This keeps the dough from sticking to you and to the pan. Lightly press into the bottom of the pizza pan to spread the dough into a crust.
• Place your toppings on the pizza, don't put too many on or it will be soggy. DH and I like spinach and chicken pizza, with ranch dressing instead of tomato sauce. Yummy.
• Once the oven is hot, place the pizza on the bottom shelf and allow to bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is crisp and golden brown. Keep an eye on it, it can over cook easily with a hot oven.
• Pull out of the oven, let sit for a 2-3 minutes to set. Cut into pieces and enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Turn a large baking sheet upside down; rub with oil. Place tomatoes, garlic, and 1 tablespoon oil in a food processor; season with salt and pepper. Pulse 3 to 4 times until ingredients are incorporated but chunky.
• On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin and your hands to roll and stretch dough until large enough to cover the surface of the baking sheet. (If dough becomes too elastic, let it rest a few minutes.) Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
• Spread tomato sauce evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Top with cheese and pine nuts; season with salt and pepper.
• Bake until crust is golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Toss arugula with vinegar and 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle arugula and olives over pizza.

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:

• In a large bowl or in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle or a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flours and salt and mix together. If using a bowl, make a well in the center, add the olive oil and mix in with a fork. If using a mixer or food processor, turn on and add the olive oil. When it is evenly distributed through the flour combine the water and vinegar or lemon juice and add it to the flour mixture with the machine running. The dough should come together in a ball.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, flour your hands and work the dough just until smooth and easy to shape into a ball. Do not overwork it or you will develop the gluten in the flour and the dough will be tough. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a ball and press into a 1/2-inch thick circle. Wrap in plastic and let rest for 1 hour.
• Roll out the dough as needed for savory tarts, dusting your work surface and the top of the dough with flour to prevent it from sticking. Pre-bake and bake as directed in recipes calling for the crust.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Shape and stretch dough into a 12" circle.
• Sprinkle the counter with cornmeal. Place circle of dough on top of cornmeal; press down lightly; transfer to pizza pan.
• Spread bruschetta evenly over top. Sprinkle with basil and oregano.
• Evenly scatter spinach, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, eggplant and both cheeses over top.
• Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.