Tomato & Basil Pizza
I discovered it while looking for a recipe for meatless pizzas. I know I could just remove the pepperoni or salami or ham and bacon from my usual pizza but I wanted something different. I made this the first time when my girlfriends (whom from this point will be referred to as ‘my English-speaking friends’ so as not to be confused with my other group of friends, ‘the Filipina group’) came over for one of our ‘creative meetings’ (more about that on later posts). I met ‘My English-speaking friends’ when I had my first German language course back in 2012. Christin, Hazel and I attended the same class for 6 months and then Sara, we met thru Hazel. Christin and Sara are both Americans and Hazel is from England (hence, the name Armin and I would use to refer to which group of friends I am talking about). We kept in touch even after the course was finished and would meet from time to time.
Now, how did I came across this recipe? Well, I thought we could have a pizza party while we are having one of our creative sessions. The thing is, Christine does not eat meat, and I also wanted to add some variety to our pizza party so I seek the advice of my good friend, Google! I found this recipe from Farm Fresh Feast and now it is one of my favorites as it meets all my basic criteria for a good recipe: it is easy, has simple ingredients and the tastes really good!
I am proud to say that the tomatoes and basil leaves I use
d for making this pizza are freshly picked from my homegrown plants in my container garden!
Now before we make our pizza, we, first, have to prepare the tomatoes. Cut tomatoes into small round thin slices. Then spread the slices out on a tray where the excess liquids can easily drip, something like a wire cooling rack but the cutting board will also do just tip it at one side to get rid of the liquids from the tomatoes. Leave them to drip and do something else, maybe like your pizza dough. After 10 minutes sprinkle some salt over the slices and let them sit for another 10 minutes. Then your tomatoes are ready to be used.
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Tomato & Basil Pizza
INGREDIENTS
- 5-6 medium size ripe tomatoes - - prepared as directed above
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1 pizza dough
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil - - for brushing
- salt
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese - (mozzarella, Gouda, Emmental or any you prefer)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Preheat pizza stone as well if using one.
- Roll out pizza dough in any shape you prefer as thin as possible or about 1/2 cm thin. If using a cookie sheet (like I do) slightly flour the surface and lay your rolled out dough.
- Brush the top with olive oil. Spread basil leaves on top of the dough and brush also with olive oil. Top it with the drained tomatoes slices. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until crust is browned and cheese bubbly.
