Sunday, December 20, 2009

Pizza Party...51 Porter Style


Buttery crust, delicious toppings, and some classy people...pizza party, 51 Porter Style.


Le Menu
Caramelized Onion, Feta, and Balsamic Pizza
Asparagus Pizza
Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil Pizza
Pesto and Goat Cheese Pizza



Caramelized Onion, Feta, Balsamic Pizza:



Ingredients:
  • Pizza dough of your choice (Trader Joe's, local pizza parlor, or homemade)
  • 1 1/2 Tbs. Butter
  • 1 large red onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped (in ribbons)
  • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (or more!)
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced (optional but gives a nice color)
  • salt and pepper
  • Balsamic Vinegar



Directions:
1.  In a skillet, melt butter or medium heat and add onions.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.  Add the garlic about halfway through.  The onions should be caramelized to a golden brown color.


2.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Work out your dough (whatever technique you like, spin, toss, stretch, tug-o-war).  Spread a baking sheet with some olive oil and cornmeal and place the dough on top.  Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly golden (this is to ensure the crust is cooked through when toppings are added).


3.  Remove pizza crust from oven, add the mozzarella, chopped spinach, caramelized onions, peppers feta, salt, and pepper.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly


4.  Remove from the oven and drizzle with balsamic...cut and serve...AMAZING!

Asparagus Pizza:
Ingredients:
  • Pizza dough of your choice (Trader Joe's, local pizza parlor, or homemade)
  • 2 cups Gruyere cheese or extra sharp white cheddar, shredded
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus, woody end trimmed off
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Work out your dough (whatever technique you like, spin, toss, stretch, tug-o-war).  Spread a baking sheet with some olive oil and cornmeal and place the dough on top.  Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly golden (this is to ensure the crust is cooked through when toppings are added).


2.  Remove pizza crust from oven, add the cheese over the top


3.  Toss the asparagus with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl to make sure each asparagus spear is evenly coated with oil and seasoning.
4.  Arrange the asparagus on top of the cheese alternating one spear up and one spear down. This looks so pretty when baked.

5.  Bake at 350 degrees 10-15 minutes until crust is golden, asparagus are tender, and cheese is bubbly.


**Tip: The asparagus is sometimes hard to cut after it is baked, so make the cuts that are perpendicular to the asparagus before it goes in the oven. This will ensure a beautiful display when served. 

Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella Pizza:
Ingredients:
  • Pizza dough of your choice (Trader Joe's, local pizza parlor, or homemade)
  • Your favorite Tomato/Marinara Sauce or leftover Feta Tomato Soup (recipe on blog)
  • Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, about 4 ounces, sliced (or try smoked buffalo mozzarella for a flavorful twist)
  • About ½ cup Parmesan, grated
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Work out your dough (whatever technique you like, spin, toss, stretch, tug-o-war).  Spread a baking sheet with some olive oil and cornmeal and place the dough on top.  Baking for 10 minutes or until slightly golden (this is to ensure the crust is cooked through when toppings are added).


2.  Remove crust from oven and spread with sauce/soup


3.  Add slices of fresh mozzarella.


4.  Arrange sliced tomatoes on top and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.


5.  Top with Parmesan cheese and torn basil.


6.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is warm and bubbly.

Pesto and Goat Cheese:
Ingredients:
  • Pizza dough of your choice (Trader Joe's, local pizza parlor, or homemade)
  • Homemade Pesto, recipe on blog (can be made with basil, parsley, spinach, arugula or a mix of any of these).
  • ~6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 medium red onion, sliced
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
  • Sliced red pepper or sliced sundried tomatoes (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Work out your dough (whatever technique you like, spin, toss, stretch, tug-o-war).  Spread a baking sheet with some olive oil and cornmeal and place the dough on top.  Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly golden (this is to ensure the crust is cooked through when toppings are added).


2.  Remove crust from oven and spread with pesto all over.


3.  Top with sliced red onion and any other toppings (sliced red pepper, sliced tomatoes).


4.  Spread crumbled goat cheese all over the top.  Sprinkle with Parmesan.


5.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
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Around the Table

Around the Table
We love good food, get excited for Market Basket & Trader Joe's, serve salad out of a pasta pot, marvel in food photography, and love to laugh. You're always welcome at our table. Click on this photo to view our "People Around the Table" album.