Saturday, September 25, 2010

Go-To Greek Pizza (in 11 Easy Steps)

Nothing adds robust flavor to my early week meals quite like homemade pizza. The aroma of herbs, baked dough, and tomato sauce fills up my kitchen with this homemade recipe that causes even the cat and dog to salivate. This was my first attempt at making it "greek" but it came out so fab I will definitely be making it again. The flavors of green olives, spinach, goat cheese, and salami all form a delectable go-to treat for your taste buds.

You will need:

Tools--> spatula, spoon, baking pan, (rolling pin and board are optional if you are good at tossing pizza dough)

Ingredients-->
- pizza dough (~1$ at your local grocery store)
- flour
- olive oil
- tomato sauce
- green olives
- spinach (fresh or frozen)
- goat cheese crumbles
- mozzarella cheese (you dont have to use this in addition to the goat cheese if you want to go a bit healthier... but you know me.. i loooove my cheese!)
- salami (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 425-450 degrees.
2. Coat a deep-baking pan with olive oil.
3. Using a floured surface and rolling pin, roll out your dough so that it fits your cookie sheet.

4. Lay rolled dough onto greased pan and using a spoon spread tomato sauce on the dough. Put in the oven to bake for 7-12 minutes. (I find that if you spread the tomato sauce all the way to the edges it keeps the crust more moist and chewy).


5. While the dough and sauce are baking, prepare your toppings. Dice up your salami into tiny chunks and assemble your toppings.

6. First, put down your layer of cheese.

7. Then put on the toppings that can "brown" easily (i.e. your spinach and garlic powder). Follow with sprinkling the diced salami all over the pizza, and then the goat cheese-crumbles.

8. Top with diced green manzilla olives if desired (you can also use kalamata olives).


9. Your pizza should look roughly like this with all toppings assembled.

10. Set your timer for 10 minutes, and bake at 450 degrees or until the layer of mozzarella cheese is starting to bubble.
(Tip: to make sure your pizza is done, stick a spatula under the pizza crust as close to the middle of the pan as you can, and lift up. If the dough is starting to turn a golden-brown then your pizza should be done.)

11. VOILA! Pizza is done! Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.