Summer Grilling: Pizza

If you're looking for something a little different for your next cookout, try grilling pizza. It's so much fun for everyone to add their own toppings while it's on the grill, and the sky's the limit when it comes to pizza toppings. Make a traditional cheese or pepperoni pizza, or make one with everything but the kitchen sink. That's what makes it fun!

Grilled Pizza

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast                           1/2 cup olive oil

1 cup warm water                                                                     1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 pinch sugar                                                                              1/4 cup tomato sauce (optional)

2 teaspoons kosher salt                                                         1 cup chopped tomatoes

1 tablespoon olive oil                                                            1/4 cup sliced black olives

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour                                                1/4 cup roasted red peppers

2 cloves garlic, minced                                                          2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil                                      4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water, mix in sugar. Let proof for 10 minutes, or until frothy. Mix in the salt, olive oil, and flour until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Turn onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, and cover with a damp cloth. Set aside until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down, and knead in garlic and basil. Set aside to rise for 1 more hour, or until double again.

Preheat the grill to high. Heat olive oil with garlic for 30 seconds in the microwave. Set aside. Punch down dough, and divide in half. Form each half into an oblong shape 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick.

Brush grill grate with garlic olive oil. Carefully place one pizza crust on the hot grill. When the bottom is lightly brown and the top is puffy, turn the pizza over.

Working quickly, brush oil over the crust.  Then, brush with 2 tablespoons tomato sauce, if desired. Arrange 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes, 1/8 cup sliced black olives, and 1/8 cup roasted red peppers over the crust. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon basil and 1 cup cheese.

Close the lid, and cook until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Remove from grill, garnish with 1 tablespoon fresh basil, and cool slightly while grilling the second pizza.  Makes 2 medium pizzas.

Note: Be careful when adding the pizza toppings. You need to throw the items on quickly or your hand will get quite hot. (I'm speaking from experience. Several of my toppings missed the pizza entirely in my haste.) You could easily divide the dough in fourths and make 4 small pizzas. Also, the thickness you roll the dough is personal preference. It does puff up quite a bit when cooking. The topping amounts are only approximate. Add whatever toppings you wish in whatever quantities you want.

 Printable version

Next week: Grilled Banana Splits

Pin It