: Veggie Pesto Pizza

 

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 1 package (0.25 oz) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pesto Sauce:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pizza Dough:

   • In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
   • Stir until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Pesto Sauce:

   • In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts or walnuts, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped.
   • With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

3. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.

4. Roll Out the Dough:

   • Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a round shape, about 12 inches in diameter.

5. Assemble the Pizza:

   • Transfer the rolled-out dough to a baking sheet or pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.
   • Spread a generous layer of pesto sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
   • Arrange the sliced bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms evenly over the pesto sauce.
   • Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the vegetables.

6. Bake the Pizza:

   • Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven or pizza stone. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
   • Slice the veggie pesto pizza into wedges and serve hot.

8. Enjoy!

   • Enjoy this delicious and flavorful veggie pesto pizza as a satisfying meal for lunch, dinner, or as a crowd-pleasing option for gatherings and parties!