Pesto Pizza!!!

The sweet basil in my herb garden has been going crazy.   So, I decided to use it for dinner last night.  Earlier this summer I went to a cooking class put on a good friend of mine named Debra and she shared her recipe for homemade pesto and her secrets to a great pizza dough as well.  Debra, being the Pioneer Woman, follower that she is in the one that introduced me to that blog  several years ago and I have been a daily reader of Pioneer Woman even since.  She even had the opportunity to go to the Pioneer Woman's lodge, if you are a follower of hers you know what a great privileged that was.  Debra was even mentioned and had a picture posted of her as well, (yes, that is my friend Debra right at the top of the post) we have our very own celebrity!!!!!  Here is the Pesto recipe and pizza dough recipe.

Pesto

4 cups basil leaves (not tightly packed, but somewhat packed)

1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil (may use more if desired)

1 cup parmesan cheese

4 -5 cloves garlic

1/4 cup walnuts (or pine nuts)

Process in food processor fitted with a metal blade until desired consistency.

Pizza Dough

1 packet (or 1 T.) yeast

2 t. sugar, divided

1 cup lukewarm water

3 cups flour

3 T parmesan cheese

1 t salt

2 T Olive oil

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 t. of the sugar in 1/2 cup of the water.  Let it sit until it just begins to foam, 3 -5 minutes.

Put the flour, Parmesan, salt, and remaining sugar in a food processor fitted with metal blade.  Turning the machine on and off rapidly, pulse several times to blend.  With the machine running pour in the yeast mixture and oil, then gradually add enough of the reaming water to form smooth dough.  Continue processing until the dough forms a ball that rides round the bowl; the dough at this point will be sufficiently kneaded.

Remove from the bowl and form into a smooth ball.  Cover and let rest 15 - 30 minutes. 

Cut dough into two equal portions.  The dough is now ready to shape and bake.  Roll out on a surface sprinkled with corn meal and when you have it to the thickness you want turn the edges and fill with your favorite toppings.  Bake in a 425 degree oven until the crust is golden brown.

We made pesto pizza by using the pesto as your sauce and then topping with cherry tomatos and fresh mozzarella.  It was great!!!!

Comments

[lorraine lewis]

Thank you for visiting my blog it is always so nice to have new friends and I am way excited to try this recipe. My basil is ready to be turned into something fabulous!

[Suzann]

I haven't had a pesto pizza in ages! Yum!!!

Popping in from SITS to say Good Morning to you!!