Yummy pizza topping ideas made with spring veggies
Pizza: it’s the perfect food, isn’t it? It’s something that everyone loves (really, have you ever heard someone say, “I hate pizza!”?), it’s completely customizable (AKA: ideal for picky eaters), and is a great way to make the most of seasonal produce.
You can enjoy it outdoors at this time of year as well, by grilling it up Spring Grilled Pizzas on the barbecue and making a no-fuss, no clean up meal out of it. Just have a couple of paper towels handy for messy toppings and tomato sauce covered fingers.
Of course grilling pizza is different from baking it in the oven. The basics are still the same (roll out the dough, add some toppings, and cook), but the method changes.
Here’s how:
First, you can use homemade or store-bought pizza dough. They’ll both work, just make sure they’re individual-sized so they cook evenly and fit on the barbecue grill (you can make two at a time).
Next, prepare all of your desired toppings. Cut vegetables up quite small, as the cooking time is much shorter when grilling pizza. Place the toppings on a tray or table near the barbecue so you can have them ready to use when the time comes.
Preheat the grill to low-medium, and when it’s ready, brush one side of each pizza round with oil (grape seed or canola work great). Place two of the pizzas on the grill, oiled side down, and cook for a few minutes; when the dough starts to bubble and puff up, and there are nice brown grill marks on the bottom, flip it over.
Now, cover the grilled side with the prepared toppings, and close the lid on the barbecue. Cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bottom side is a deep golden brown. Remove from the grill, slice, and enjoy!
Since grilling pizza takes such a short time and leaves the vegetable toppings quite crunchy, it’s the perfect way to use up fresh, seasonal produce. Try combining bell peppers, jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, and green onions (pictured) for a refreshing meatless meal, or homemade bruschetta, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil for an Italian twist.
TASTY TOPPING IDEAS:
Back bacon + fresh sliced pineapple + Monterey Jack cheese
Sliced pear + pine nuts + brie cheese
Spinach + Kalamata olives + cherry tomatoes + feta cheese
Artichoke hearts + sliced mushrooms + black olives + mozzarella + parmesan
Quartered Figs + brie cheese + honey
Prosciutto + arugula + cherry tomatoes + buffalo mozzarella
Now you tell us: what are your favourite pizza toppings?
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