Grilled Pizzas

July 22nd, 2009

The weather at the lake has been glorious this summer. In the mornings we are able to throw open the doors and let the cool breezes cleanse the air. The afternoons have been in the 80’s; not what you would exactly call a heat wave. So I haven’t worried about turning on the oven to cook. But I have been wanting to try grilled pizza just for the fun of it. For some reason I had it in my head that it would be difficult, but in truth it turned out to be one of the quickest and tastiest ways to do pizza. The pizzas cook quickly so your ingredients should be prepped and at hand. The grill melts the cheeses but because the crust cooks quickly there is not enough time to cook any of the ingredients. Therefore if you do not like your peppers raw, it would be a good idea to saute them briefly before you add them as a topping.
The pizza dough can be purchased at the store or you can easily make your own if you have the time. I have a recipe for bread machine pizza dough that is very easy. I just throw everything in the machine and an hour later I have pizza dough.
BREAD MACHINE PIZZA DOUGH
1 cup water
2 Tbls vegetable oil
3 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
2 1/2 tsp yeast
Add all ingredients to bread machine and process on dough or pizza setting. This makes enough for 3 8″ pizzas.

CARAMELIZED ONION, GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUT PIZZA

3 large onions, halved lengthwise and sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 of pizza dough or about 12 oz of purchased dough
1/4 lb. crumbled goat cheese or gorgonzola cheese
3/4 cup toasted walnuts
1/4 cup chopped parsley or basil

Heat olive oil in 12 inch skillet over medium heat. Cook onions with 1/2 tsp salt and pepper, covered, stirring occasionally, until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Prepare grill. If using a gas grill heat to about 400 degrees. Spray grill with cooking oil.

Stretch dough into an 8″ circle on a sheet pan. Brush top with olive oil. Lift dough from sheet pan and place dough directly on grill, oiled side down, and brush top side of dough with oil. Close grill and cook for 1 1/2 to 3 minutes until bottom of dough is nicely browned. Remove dough from grill and place on sheet pan cooked side up and add the caramelized onions, walnuts, crumbled cheese and herbs. Return pizza to grill and cook underside of dough for 1 1/2 minutes or until it is browned. Remove and serve.

CHICKEN AND PEPPERS PIZZA

1 cooked chicken breast shredded
1/2 of a green or yellow pepper sliced
8 oz. pizza sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 of pizza dough or 12 oz of purchased dough
basil leaves for garnishing.

Saute pepper briefly in a little olive oil. Add shredded chicken to pizza sauce.

Prepare grill. If using a gas grill heat to 400 degrees. Spray grill with cooking oil.

Stretch dough into an 8″ circle on a sheet pan. Brush top with olive oil. Lift dough from sheet pan and place dough directly on grill, oiled side down, and brush top side of dough with oil. Close grill and cook for 1 1/2 to 3 minutes until bottom of dough is nicely browned. Remove dough from grill and place on sheet pan cooked side up and add pizza sauce and chicken mixure, peppers and both cheeses. Return pizza to grill and cook underside of dough for 1 1/2 minutes or until it is browned. Remove pizza and garnish with basil and serve.

These are just my combinations from what I had on hand. You can add anything that appeals to you. Grilled pizza has now become my new summer tradition.

Printable recipe Bread Machine Pizza Dough

13 responses to “Grilled Pizzas”

  1. Bella says:

    Oh, those look delicious! I will definitely have to try that.

  2. What time are you serving those, because I am coming over! :-))

    I have always wanted to try pizza on the grill. Thanks for the recipes.

    We were over in your neck of the woods the other day. We sold our house and looked at one on Mirror Lake. It was too small and smelled very mildew-y.
    Hugs,
    Penny

  3. Those look wonderful!! Especially the walnut… I’ve had one planned that includes figs and chocolate — have you ever made chocolate pizzas? I make them like a calzone, a pie pouch… delish. I’m still working on an even heat for pizza on the grill.

    I envy you your summer — nice and cool for N Carolina, yet not chill as Vermont’s has been.

  4. Beautiful and delicious! I love the presentation!

  5. These babies look great and I like the idea of using the grill. Do you use a special sheet pan on the grill?
    The weather has been heavenly here in the NC mountains – the best summer I can remember.
    Sam

  6. Penny says:

    Bella, Hope you try them. Thanks.

    Penny, I know you will find the very best house. Wish it could be on Lake Lure. You are invited to dinner anytime.

    Sharon, Chocolate! Oh my goodness, let me know more. And chocolate and figs. Divine.

    Nina, Thanks. Presentation handled itself. Love your beautiful blog.

    Sam, The sheet pan never goes on the grill. It is just for stretching,transporting and doctoring the pizza. Guess I should have made that clearer. This has been the best summer that I can remember in the NC mountains also.

  7. Mary says:

    It’s great to hear that you are having wonderful weather. I love the way your pizza with feta cheese and caramelized onions looks.

  8. Katy ~ says:

    I’m with Mary, feta cheese and caramelized onions big YUM. It all looks delicious!

  9. Natashya says:

    Congrats on you first grilled pizzas! They look awesome.

  10. Aggie says:

    I just grilled pizza for the first time…I don’t know why I didn’t think to flip it over? Your pizza looks amazing!!!

  11. Candy Girl says:

    Your pizzas are beautiful! You’ve inspired me to try goat cheese and peppers on pizza. Thanks!

  12. Robin Sue says:

    I am seeing this everywhere and must try it out some time but I keep thinking the dough will stick! But since everyone is doing it and their dough is not sticking then maybe I will have the same luck. Yours look so good!

  13. Kate says:

    I have never tried to grill pizza. I am going to have to venture forth! This look great.

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