I am not the greatest cook, but I enjoy cooking. I especially enjoy trying to create and re-create dishes without a recipe.
Sometimes, I end up with a delicious product that is worth sharing.
I am not much of a pizza person, however, Pizza Caprese is my absolute favorite pizza. I just loved eating it in Italy last year, and I have not come across it in my "travels" in the States. So when I had a successful attempt making Mozzarella cheese(more on that later), I decided I want to make my own pizza caprese.
I don't do well with doughs, so I just bought the Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Thin Crust.The pizza turned out so beautiful and delicious, that it actually reminded us of real Italian pizza:grin.
Pizza Caprese Recipe:
Ingredients:
1- Pillsbury refrigerated thin crust pizza dough.
2-A cup of fresh basil leaves
3-Six small cocktail tomatoes, sliced.( You could use regular or other tomatoes I am sure, but this is what I had).
4-One quarter of a cup grated Parmesan cheese(or something like that,enough to cover the crust).
5-Fourteen or so small balls of fresh Mozzarella cheese.
6-Two tablespoon of marinara or spaghetti sauce.
7-Pesto sauce with the following recipe:
~1.5 cups of fresh basil leaves, stems taken out.
~2 cloves of garlic, peeled and cut into pieces.
~1/4 cup of EVOO
~1/4 Parmesan cheese, grated.
~couple tablespoons of water.
~a dash of salt and pepper.
~Put the above ingredients(minus the water) in the food processor and puree'. Add the water if needed for better consistency.
To make the pizza:
Preheat your oven to 350 F.
Mix the marinara and pesto sauce. Roll the dough on a greased pizza pan, and spread the marinara/pesto sauce on the crust. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese to cover the crust. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes, take the pizza out and arrange the tomatoes, basil leaves and mozzarella for toppings. Put back in the oven for another 7-10 minutes or until crust looks done.
Crust after adding the toppings before going back to oven
I think what gives this pizza the kick it needs is using the pesto sauce.
Buon appetito!
Comments (15)
Looks yummy and authentic! I'm going to make one of these sometime. Thanks.
Posted by Barb Cabot | March 11, 2009 7:16 AM
Posted on March 11, 2009 07:16
Hi Candi, wow great photos and recipe. I love pizza and if I was stuck on a desert island that only had a pizza restaurant and that's it, I would be happy eating that everyday! :)
I've never tried to actually cook a pizza but it does look fairly easy from reading your post here.
Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 11, 2009 7:20 AM
Posted on March 11, 2009 07:20
It looks amazing. So cool that you made the cheese too! Now I'm craving pizza big time...
I don't know if you have Trader Joe's close to you, but they have good pizza crusts too, in the refrigerator section. They have both white and whole wheat and even the WW one is good!
Posted by Annie | March 11, 2009 8:11 AM
Posted on March 11, 2009 08:11
Candi, this sounds really good. Will probaly try it this weekend. I have some sauce in the freezer that I want to use tomorrow, so should have some left for pizza!
Posted by sheri | March 11, 2009 8:55 AM
Posted on March 11, 2009 08:55
Yummy! I wish I could grab a slice off the screen.
Posted by María I. | March 11, 2009 10:43 AM
Posted on March 11, 2009 10:43
Thanks all, it was yummy and easy.
Annie, no Trader Joe on Maui, but I'll remember that when we are back on the mainland.Thanks for the tip.
Posted by candi | March 11, 2009 1:37 PM
Posted on March 11, 2009 13:37
I was also going to suggest the pizza dough at Trader Joe's but I see you have answered that. You could also see if your market has frozen bread dough and play around with that, but your pizza does look delicious as is.
Posted by Marcia | March 11, 2009 2:16 PM
Posted on March 11, 2009 14:16
I love caprese so I am going to try making this. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Yummm.
Posted by Eden | March 11, 2009 2:33 PM
Posted on March 11, 2009 14:33
Candi, that looks so good (and not impossibly difficult, given that I'm not good with dough!)
Caprese is one of my favourite pizzas, and your recipe sounds good, not too many ingredients.
And I can't wait to hear about your cheese-making experiences
Posted by sandrac | March 11, 2009 2:36 PM
Posted on March 11, 2009 14:36
This looks good. I have a great (and EASY) recipe for pizza dough on my blog. It is idiot proof (i.e. I can make it without screwing up).
Posted by Jerry | March 11, 2009 6:35 PM
Posted on March 11, 2009 18:35
Candi,
That is a great way to use our fresh mozzarella. I haven't made mine yet, but I think it may be destined for some pizza like yours!
Posted by nancyhol | March 11, 2009 8:38 PM
Posted on March 11, 2009 20:38
Jerry, I will check out that recipe, and i guess if I manage to mess it up, I just won't tell anyone:smile
Posted by candi | March 12, 2009 5:32 AM
Posted on March 12, 2009 05:32
I am amazed you are making mozzarella cheese! I really miss good pizza. When you go back to the mainland and visit a Trader Joe's please please talk to the head honcho and beg for them to bring Trader Joe's to Hawaii.
Posted by girasoli | March 14, 2009 5:39 PM
Posted on March 14, 2009 17:39
This sounds so good!!
Posted by Kim | March 20, 2009 4:56 AM
Posted on March 20, 2009 04:56
Candi, thanks for sharing this recipe. It was quick, easy and made for a great dinner tonight!
Posted by sheri | March 23, 2009 5:39 PM
Posted on March 23, 2009 17:39