The Greek Pizza California Pizza Kitchen Recipes

GREEK BREAD PIZZA

Steps:

• For the beef: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until the meat gets nice and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the beef and reserve. Lower the heat to medium and saute the onions in the beef juices until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the oregano and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the tomato paste and cook until caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes. Deglaze with the red wine and scrape up any bits that have adhered to the pan. Add the beef back in, stir and set aside.
• For the pizza: Preheat the oven to broil with the rack on the lowest position or heat a grill with one side on high and one side off for indirect heat. Scoop out some of the bread to create a well for the toppings. Brush all sides of the bread with olive oil. Top evenly with the beef mixture, then the mozzarella and feta, then top with the olives. Put on a baking sheet in the oven or place on the grill and cook until golden and bubbly, 5 to 8 minutes. Top with the Pickled Red Onions and fresh mint. Slice and serve.
• Put the vinegar, sugar, salt and 1/2 cup water in a small pot and bring to a simmer. Add the onions and take off the heat immediately. Let cool and keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

ALMOST LIKE CPK GREEK PIZZA

Steps:

• Chicken Breasts: Mix together cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, and salt. Rub chicken breast down with olive oil and spices. Grill, pan fry or bake until chicken is just cook through. Dice into small pieces.
• Preheat Oven to 350*.
• Tzatziki Sauce: Mix together all ingredients and return to the refrigerated to mellow. This becomes better the longer you let it sit.
• Veggie Topping: Mix together Lemon Juice, Basil, Oregano, Parsley and Oil Oil. Dice Cucumber, Red Onion and Tomatoes and Toss in Lemon Juice Mixture long with Feta and Olives.
• Place 2-3 Flatbread/Pitas on an aluminum lined cookie sheet.
• Top each Pita with 2 Tbsp Hummus and smear around the pizza.
• Sprinkle Pita with 1-2 Tbsp of Diced Chicken.
• Top with 3 Tbsp Mozzarella Cheese.
• Bake in a Pre-heated 350* Oven for 5-10 minutes.
• Top each Pizza with 2-3 tablespoons of the Veggie Topping.
• Drizzle with Tzatziki Sauce and Top with Chopped Avocado.

THE GREEK PIZZA (CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN)

Steps:

• Place a seasoned (or oiled) pizza stone in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450° F, at least 30 minutes.
• Roll and spread the dough into one 13-inch or two 9-inch circles and place on a floured pizza peel. If you are more comfortable working with one piece of dough at a time, you can shape and dress the second piece while the first is in the oven. If making 2 pizzas, split all the topping measurements in half.
• Brush the dough with olive oil to within an inch of the edge, and spread the grated mozzarella to within 1/2 inch of the outer edge. Distribute the chicken over the cheese.
• Transfer the pizza(s) to the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese at the center is melted and bubbly.
• Meanwhile, prepare the Greek Salad and Tzatziki Sauce. Place the sauce in a squeeze bottle or syrup dispenser.
• Use the peel to remove the pizza from the oven. Slice as desired. Spoon the dressed salad over the pizza. Sprinkle with feta cheese, then drizzle with half the Tzatziki Sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately, with the remaining sauce on the side.
• To Make Traditional Pizza Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon). Make sure the water is not too hot, as this will kill the yeast and prevent the dough from rising.
• If using a stand mixer, use the paddle because the dough hook will not mix this size batch efficiently. In the mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and stir by hand just to distribute. Add the dissolved yeast and place the bowl and paddle on the mixer. Start mixing on the lowest speed to mix. Increase the speed slightly and mix for 2 to 3 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Do not over-knead, as this will build up too much gluten and make the dough difficult to shape. If using a food processor, be sure to use the plastic blade, the metal knife will cut through the gluten strands and keep the dough from developing any "body". Proceed as for the stand mixer making sure to stop kneading as soon as the dough forms a smooth ball. Over-kneading could overheat the dough because the mixing bowl is directly above the motor. If mixing by hand, place the dry ingredients in a 4 to 6 quart bowl, and stir to combine. Make a well in the middle and put the liquids, reserving 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Use a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients. Once all the flour is mixed in, turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and, with lightly oiled hands, knead the dough for 5 minutes. It should be smooth and elastic, but will still be slightly sticky.
• Place the remaining teaspoon of oil in a 1 quart mixing bowl and spread it with your fingertips. Place the dough ball in the bowl, move it around in the oil, then turn it over so that the oiled side is facing upward. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• About 2 hours before you are ready to assemble your pizza, remove the dough form the refrigerator. If making individual pizzas, use a sharp knife to divide the dough into 2 or 4 equal portions.
• Roll each portion of dough into a round ball on a smooth, clean surface, making sure to seal any holes by pinching or rolling.
• Place the newly formed dough balls in a glass baking dish, spaced far enough apart to allow for each to double in size. Seal the top of the dish with clear plastic wrap. Set aside at room temperature until the dough balls have doubled in size, about 2 hours. They should be smooth and puffy. Dress the pizza according to the recipe.
• For Grilled Greek Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between sheets of waxed or parchment paper and gently pound to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Do not pound them too thin; this is just to ensure that they will cook evenly.
• Combine the olive oil and seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Stir to mix. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, one by one, turning each in the marinade. Place the chicken in the refrigerator for 10 to 20 minutes.
• If you have a hot grill available, grill the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Do not overcook. If no grill is available, preheat the over to 350 degrees and bake the chicken, skin side up in a pan, for about 30 minutes. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
• Use the chicken immediately, as desired; or let it cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• For The Greek Salad: Combine the cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and olives in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a small bowl and add to the vegetables. Stir well. Makes 3 cups.
• To Make The Tzatziki Sauce: Place all the ingredients in a blender or small food processor and process until smooth. This sauce will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Whisk before using. Makes 3/4 cups.

COPYCAT CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN TUSCAN HUMMUS

Steps:

• Process the garlic cloves in a food processor until finely minced, stopping the processor occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the beans and pulse the machine a few times to chop them coarsely. Next, with the machine running, puree them while you slowly pour the sesame paste through the feed tube. Still with the motor running, pour the olive oil, lemon juice, and soy sauce through the feed tube, stopping the processor occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Stop the processor, open the lid, and add the salt, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Process until thoroughly blended. If the puree is too thick, mix in the 1/4 to 1/2 cup cold water. Transfer the puree to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate before serving.
• Preheat the oven to 250ºF.
• Put the pita breads in the oven and heat until thoroughly warmed, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Carefully remove and cut into wedges. Serve with the chilled hummus.

FAMOUS CALIFORNIA PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine yeast, honey, and 1/4 cup warm water in a large bowl with a whisk. Let stand to dissolve, about 10 minutes.
• Add salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, remaining 3/4 cup warm water, and 1 cup flour to the mixture and stir until a batter forms. Add another 1 cup flour; stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup more flour and combine.
• Turn dough out onto a surface dusted with 1/4 cup flour. Knead until a smooth, fairly firm, slightly sticky dough is achieved, adding more flour as needed.
• Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let sit in a warm place until doubled in size, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured cutting board and pat down with your hand. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Stretch and fold each piece down and under, tucking as you go, to form pizza dough rounds.
• Cover with a towel and let sit in a warm place until doubled in size, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Dust a baking sheet with cornmeal.
• Transfer dough rounds to a lightly floured board and press each piece out to desired thickness, starting in the center, until 8 to 10 inches wide. Form a crust shape around the outer edges with your fingertips.
• Transfer one round of pizza dough to the prepared baking sheet and brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Top with any sauce and toppings you like.
• Bake in the lower rack of the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Move to the center of the oven and continue to bake until golden, about 10 minutes more. Repeat to bake remaining pizzas.

MEDITERRANEAN GREEK PIZZA

Steps:

• Pat the crust dough out on two greased pizza pans.
• Combine all the sauce ingredients, stirring until smooth. Divide between crusts.
• Top each pizza with half the mozzarella cheese, followed by other ingredients in order given.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.