Sunday, December 2, 2012

Mediterranean Pizza



Hey Food Lovers!

We’re back with another amazing pizza recipe!  And this time we’re getting creative.  Instead of a traditional cheese-sauce-and-topping mix, how about something a bit wild and exotic?!?  I present to you:  Mediterranean Pizza!

I came up with this idea when I had an extra can of chick peas and wanted to do something interesting with it.  Typically I would have just made hummus which I’d eat with chips.  But this time I wanted something more appropriate for dinner.

This recipe is a bonus because it includes my quick-and-easy hummus recipe, which serves as the sauce of the pizza.  If you’re short on time or ingredients, or just want a nice dip for when friends come over, you’ll enjoy this recipe.

So, you will need:
1 15oz can of chick peas (garbanzo beans)
4 tbsp Lemon juice
4 tbsp Olive Oil
4 oz Feta Cheese
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
3 oz Olives, diced
Pizza Dough
Food Processor or Blender

As usual, I use an instant pizza dough mix which you can find in any supermarket.  But you can also use frozen dough, a pre-cooked pizza crust, or even a few pitas if you want to further the Mediterranean authenticity.  Prepare your dough as per instructions on the package and set aside.  Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.

Hummus is a thick blend of chick peas and oil which makes a sweet dip with an almost nutty flavor.  To make it, open your can of chick peas and drain half the juice.  Pour the rest of the can into the food processor.  Traditionally, a hummus recipe calls for Tahini, or sesame oil.  However, this is something I don’t ordinarily keep around, and it’s not sold at my local corner grocery store.  So I skip this step and add olive oil instead.  Pour four tablespoons of olive oil into the food processor.  Add in four tablespoons of lemon juice.  Begin blending until the contents mash up.  You will also want to add garlic, salt, and pepper.  I put in roughly a tablespoon of each, but try the mix as you go and add according to your own taste.  Keep blending until you have a thick paste with no lumps. 

Alternatively, you can just use a tub of store-bought hummus, but I prefer making my own.  It’s quick, easy, and much cheaper. 

Take your pizza dough and spread it out in a wide circular pan or on a baking sheet.  Make sure it is nice and even.  Pinch the edges to form the crust.

Pour your hummus on top of the dough.  Spread it out evenly, leaving about an inch from the edges.  Now, add the feta cheese.  You can get crumbled feta in 4oz tubs at most grocery stores.  Top the hummus covered area of the dough with the cheese.  Now it’s time for the olives.  Make sure you have the diced and pitless type.  A 3 oz can should cover your entire pizza.

Place in the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes.  It is ready when the edge of the crust begins to turn brown, the cheese is melted, and the hummus is puffed up.  Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes.  Cut into slices and you’re ready to eat!

Like with all of my recipes, have some fun with the ingredients.  Next time I plan to add spinach and grilled chicken.  You can also use pita bread instead of pizza dough – just cook until the cheese is melted.      

Have fun and bon appétit!   



jb