Pizza Primavera Recipes

ULTRA-THIN CRUST PIZZA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• At least 30 minutes before baking, position a rack in the bottom third of the oven and if using a pizza stone, set it on the rack. (If you don't have a stone, use a heavy-duty 13×18-inch baking sheet lightly oiled with olive oil.) Heat the oven to 550°F. If using a pizza stone, dust a peel with unbleached all-purpose flour.
• While the oven heats, generously flour the dough and then stretch and tuck it under itself, giving it quarter turns as you form a ball of dough with a smooth top. Let rest on the work surface, covered with plastic wrap, for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. Meanwhile, prep all the toppings as directed in the ingredient list before you begin shaping your dough.
• Once the dough has rested, very lightly flour your work surface and lay your dough ball in the center of the floured area. Flour your hands and then, using your palms and fingertips, press and stretch the dough into a rough circle or oval about 1/16-inch thick. Or use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough into a circle; if sticky spots occur, flour your fingertips (or your rolling pin) and continue stretching the dough. Flip the dough occasionally so it doesn't stick to the work surface, and use a dough scraper to detach the dough from the work surface if it does stick. If the dough continually contracts, let it rest, covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before resuming the stretching process. It's OK if your dough isn't a perfect circle. Transfer the stretched dough to the prepared pizza peel or baking sheet.
• Distribute the mozzarella, asparagus, zucchini ribbons, peppers, tomatoes, and peas evenly across the pizza. Drizzle a little olive oil over the entire pizza.
• If using a baking sheet, put it on the rack. If using a pizza stone, shake the peel a bit to make sure the pizza isn't stuck and then slide the pizza off the peel and onto the heated stone (Aim for the back of the stone and place the end of the peel there). Bake, turning the pizza with a peel or tongs if one side browns faster than the other, until the crust is nicely browned and crisp and the cheese is bubbly, about 5 to 7 minutes on a pizza stone, or 10 to 12 minutes on a baking sheet. Transfer the pizza to a cutting board, scatter the basil over the pizza, and let stand for 1 to 2 minutes before cutting it with a pizza wheel, kitchen shears, or a chef's knife.

VICOLO PIZZA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Fit the crust into a 12-inch pie plate. Evenly spread the mozzarella, fontina, and onions over the crust. Top with a single layer of tomatoes, and then sprinkle with olives, capers and red pepper. Bake the pizza until the crust is brown and the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven. Scatter basil over the top, cut it into wedges and serve.

PIZZA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Place pizza crust on pizza pan, prick several times with fork tines and bake for 7 to 8 minutes.
• In a medium skillet, heat the Italian dressing to a boil and add the garlic and onion, cooking until the onion is wilted.
• Stir in the asparagus, carrot slices, broccoli flowerets and mushrooms.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.
• Remove the pizza crust from oven and top with sliced Roma tomatoes, sprinkle basil over tomatoes and cover with the vegetable mixture.
• Sprinkle the roasted red pepper over all and top with mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan.
• Return to oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.