Pizza, Pizza

Pizza: Latin for “to pound, or stamp.”

The Lombardic word bizzo, or pizzo, meaning mouthful. Was brought to Italy by the Lombards in the middle of the 6th. century A.D.

A Pizza consists of a base of dough with a selection of ingredients that vary from taste to taste but mostly include tomatoes, cheese, and meat.

Who doesn’t love pizza?

(Homemade Tomato Sauce, Italian Cheeses, Pepperoni, Artichoke, Mushrooms…)

Actually, I have to admit that the first pizza I ever ate was at the age of 6. I was with my mother and some other people at a restaurant in Rome, Georgia. I didn’t want it. My mother made me eat it. I then went home and threw it up because it made me sick. So, pizza and I hardly have a’ Love at First Bite’ relationship. However, that changed as I grew up and my tastes changed. Now we love each other dearly and will always be a part of each other’s lives.

Pizza is my love story, 🙂

Julie

Sometimes the best dinners are Pizza and a Salad

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Here are just a few of our favorite Pizza’s and how we make them. We eat these flatbread pizza’s so often that to me it’s not really cooking. It’s more of a creation born out of tasteful cravings that we have every now and then.

Mini Pizza Bites?

Perhaps.

They are grilled Bell Peppers with Mozzarella Cheese, Pesto, and Basil.

Delicious bite sized goodness. 🙂

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To me, Pizza’s are a lot like fingerprints.

They are all the same, yet each one is different.

The above flatbread Naan has Hummus, Mozzarella Cheese, Green Gouda Pesto Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Grape Tomatoes.

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If you would like to check out our more traditional pizza recipes then click right here:

You Say Tomato

Grab the napkins and dig in!

We will be adding to this page over time.

Julie and Gordon

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My high school homage to my favorite then pizza, Stouffer’s French Bread Pepperoni Pizza.

Actually, still a favorite. And yes, I do eat it with a fork.

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Julie’s Easy Pizza Salad

This was something very easy and delicious that I threw together one night for dinner.

I started out with a frozen pizza and topped it with some Sundried Tomatoes marinated in olive oil, some cheeses that I had in the refrigerator such as Manchego, and a Red Pepper stuffed with Cream Cheese marinated in olive oil. I also put a few spoonfuls of Pesto over the pizza, and as always, a good sprinkling of Garlic Salt.

I then baked it according to the package instructions.

While the pizza was baking I placed some of my artisan lettuce all around a large plate.

When the pizza was done I placed it on top of the circle of lettuce, then strewed it with some Onions and Fresh Basil. Then a drizzle of salad dressing all around. I think this was either a French or Catalina Dressing.

It was DELICIOUS!!!

One of the best things I’ve ever eaten!

Just Another Version

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One of my favorite store bought pizza’s is from Sprout’s.

This Italian sausage can hit the spot when necessary. 🙂

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Never Underestimate Fresh Herbs Ability to Enhance a Pizza

Even on Those Store Bought

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You Can Always Try A Fried Egg On A Pizza

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It is Rare When the Photo of the Pizza on the box…

..Actually Matches the Pizza!

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Recipes Start Right Here

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I don’t know that this is as much of a Grilled Cheese Sandwich as it is a Pizza.

Either way, it is a grouping of various cheeses inserted between two Naan’s and baked in the oven, melting the cheese’s.

It Was Delicious, None The Less 🙂

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English Muffin Pizzas

Easy: English Muffins, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Turkey Pepperoni

Bake in a 350F Oven for about 15 minutes.

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OUR PIZZA SANDWICHES

Everything You Want On Top of a Pizza, Except in a Sandwich

(Recipe Down Below)

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Naan and Flatbread

Ideas and Suggestions

To me, Julie, there really aren’t recipes associated with pizzas anymore.

They are more suggestions and ideas.

At this writing in 2022, I am 61 years old and I grew up eating frozen pizzas from the grocery stores that just weren’t that good when I was growing up. It never really occurred to us to add a multitude of toppings or sauces, or even cheeses. I pretty much just added a bit of Garlic Powder to my frozen Cheese Pizza. Sometimes I would add some mushrooms in water from a jar.

The only good pizzas when I was growing up were purchased at a Pizza Hut and then a bit later on, at Dominoes Pizza.

But now things are different. You can buy a delicious frozen pizza at the grocery store and add your own updated toppings to suit your tastes. Or, you can buy some flatbreads or Naan and create your very own unique pizzas for lunch or dinner.

The pizza’s that you see here are mine and Gordon’s.

We used Naan (Bread), Hummus, Various Cheeses, Sundried Tomatoes in Olive Oil, Pesto, and my favorite Pepperoncini stuffed with Cream Cheese in a Spicy Hot Olive Oil.

These are a Favorite of Mine Whether on Pizzas or anywhere!

Our Naan’s! Gordon’s to the left, mine to the right.

Don’t just limit yourselves to Mozzarella. I used a Red Wine Cheddar on mine that I adore! That and some Pesto, and those great stuffed Pepperoncini.

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More of those Excellent Cream Cheese Stuffed Pepperoncini’s Topping my Pizza

I simply took a frozen pizza and added some of my Manchego Cheese, some Pesto, some Cream Cheese Pepperoncini, and then baked it in the oven following the package instructions.

You can see all the lovely olive oil on top of the pizza.

That is wonderful flavor!

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More Naan’s

The secret to making the Naan nice and crusty is to first turn the oven on 400F and when it comes to temperature, place the bottom side up in the oven. Cook for 5 minutes. Then remove from the oven and flip it to the top side and start loading up your toppings.

Before, After

Once you have loaded all of your toppings on to the top, place into the oven for 8 minutes to cook.

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Salad/Herb Pizzas

I love these because they are crunchy, and I love crunchy!

Once cooked, I place my lettuce/herbs on top of my pizzas.

They are just as crunchy the next day for lunch. I don’t even have to heat them up.

I can just eat them right out of the refrigerator.

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Shredded Green Gouda Pesto Cheese

I find that my most favorite of all pizza’s seems to be GREEN!

Green Pesto Gouda Cheese, Green Pesto, and Green Lettuce

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Flatbread Artichoke Pizza

These pizzas we made by using the elongated Flatbreads, Hummus, Cheeses, Marinated Artichokes, Sundried Tomatoes, etc. They were delicious! A sprinkling of Garlic Salt to top it off!

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Our Naan Pesto Pizza’s

I adore a Green Gouda Cheese and Mushroom Pizza with Pesto.

Don’t limit yourself to Mozzarella.

There are so many cheeses that you can use to suit your tastes.

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Also, Toppings are Endless Suggestions!

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NAAN

I told Gordon that I wanted the larger Naan and the medium sized Naan so that we can make pizza’s with them. The larger Naan is great for dinner, but the medium sized Naan is great for lunch.

I wanted to use up the cheeses that we already had, along with some pesto.

The first thing that Gordon did was to turn the oven on 400F and place the Naan in the oven to cook for 5 minutes on the bottom side of the Naan. Now, it is ready for the toppings.

I told Gordon that I wanted a thin layer of my Red Pepper Hummus on the Naan. I then wanted some mozzarella and some grated Pesto Gouda on top.

Followed by a few blobs of Pesto.

Next, some sliced Mushrooms with a drizzle of the Olive Oil from the marinated Sundried Tomatoes.

As well as a few Sundried Tomatoes on my pizza.

Now, it’s time for a sprinkling of Garlic Salt and then placed into the oven for about 8 minutes until done.

Perfection at it’s best!

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Making Naan With Leftovers

Here We Topped the Naan with some Stuffed Peppers and Stuffed Mushrooms.

Always start with the Naan having been baked in a 400F oven for 5 minutes, and then place the Hummus on the top portion of the Naan. This is a Red Pepper Hummus.

Now some Cheeses and Colorful Bell Peppers are Topped, Along with a Cheesy Stuffed Mushroom.

Now Baked. Always use your refrigerator as an inspiration.

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A Cornmeal Pizza

We used two Corn Meal Pizza Crusts here.

They were ready made.

We then added some Pizza Sauce, some Artichoke Piccata Sauce, some Mozzarella Slices…

The Artichoke Piccata Sauce

Getting Ready for the Oven

A 400F Oven to Melt and Cheeses

Some Turkey Pepperoni and Some of our Garden Basil

Perfect! Enjoy!

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Italian Basil Left, Thai Basil Right

And Lots of Pesto!

More Beautiful and Delicious Pizzas

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Italian Grilled Squash Alfredo Sauce Artisan Pizza

Makes 2 Artisan Pizzas

Ingredients:

2 Zucchini – sliced into triangular wedges

2 Yellow Squash – sliced into triangular wedges

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

2 Artisan Flatbread – (Stonefire brand)

1 Cup Creamy Basil Alfredo sauce – (Bertolli brand)

1/2 Cup Red Pepper sauce plus 4 Tbsp. to top the pizza – recipe is found below

1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

18 Fresh Mozzarella Balls – (Bel Gioioso brand)

10 Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes – sliced in half

1/4 Cup Sweet Onion – half circle slices

Garlic Salt to taste

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh Herbs to Garnish

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Slice your Zucchini into 2 inch rounds, then slice those on a bias as shown to make triangles. Do the same with the Yellow Squash.

Julie wanted the pizza to look 3-D. 🙂

Pictured are the Artisan Naan, Heirloom tomatoes, and Mozzarella Cheese we used for this recipe.

In a mixing bowl toss the cut squash with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Grill the Zucchini and Yellow Squash on your grill. Here I used a wire rack used to cool bread and cookies, so the squash wouldn’t fall through the grill grates. Grill them for about 8 min. on each side over medium high heat.

Place your Naan into a 400’F oven bubble side (Top) down for 5 min.

When done, place them top side up on a baking sheet.

Place some foil under the Naan slices as shown.

Using a large spoon, spread the Creamy Basil Alfredo in a thin layer over both Naan up to the edges.

With another spoon, spread the Red Pepper sauce in a zig-zag pattern.

(This Roasted Red Pepper Sauce recipe is listed below this one.)

Top the Alfredo Sauce and Red Pepper Dip with a thin layer of shredded Mozzarella.

Now, evenly disperse your Zucchini and Yellow Squash over the Naan, about 8 slices per Naan.

Now, evenly distribute the heirloom tomatoes and Mozzarella balls.

Place some of your onion slices evenly over the toppings then top with some more of the Red Pepper sauce.

Lastly, top with a sprinkling of garlic salt. Bake in a 400’F oven for 8 min. or more you melt the cheese. If you like, you could broil the Naan pizza after it has baked to get a little char on the onions.

DELIZIOSA!

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Sausage, the Afterthought

I knew we forgot a main ingredient when we were making the pizzas from above, and here it is….

….better late than never. It made it to the leftovers.

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Roasted Red Pepper Spread/Dip/Sauce

This is an excellent dip for pita chips, or a spread for crackers, or as a dipping sauce for shrimp. Also great eaten with our fresh veggie bar.

This recipe makes a little over 2 cups.

Ingredients:

15 oz. jar of Roasted Red Bell Peppers, drained

¾ Tbsp Cumin

½ Tbsp Turmeric (To help fight off Cancer)

½ Tbsp Smoked or Regular Paprika

½ Med. Onion chopped, (Red Onion would also add to the color)

2 Garlic Cloves, chopped

3 to 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice

3 Tbsp Plain Greek Yogurt

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 packages 8 oz. light or reg. Cream Cheese (softened)

In a blender first mix all the ingredients except the cream cheese until just combined. Then add the cream cheese and blend until smooth.

When done top with a sprinkling of paprika or chopped scallions!

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Getting out all of my ingredients and allowing my Cream Cheese to come to room temperature.

Placing My Ingredients Into a Blender

Onion, and Lemon

Everything Into the Blender, Now Puree Until Smooth

Place Into Dipping Containers and Refrigerate

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OUR PIZZA SANDWICHES

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I, Julie, am the one that came up with this idea. I just wanted a pizza in the form of a sandwich so we set about creating these. They are delicious! Especially with the cheesy crusty bread and our fresh herbs from our garden. In doing the write-up both Gordon and myself are wanting this again very soon.

Hope you enjoy!

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Write up by Gordon:

Ingredients:

1 Loaf English Muffin Bread – Garlic Bread is also a good choice, Sliced

12 Slices Capicola Ham

12 Slices Pepperoni

1 Jar (Classico) Pizza Sauce

1 1/2 Cups Grated Mozzarella Cheese

Butter as needed

1 Lb. Pre-sliced Mozzarella Cheese Log

1 tsp. Dried Oregano

4 Basil Leaves – 2 per sandwich

Garlic Salt to taste

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Slice your bread to ~3/4 inch thickness using a bread knife.

Using a large pan, cook your Capicola Ham slices over medium heat. No oil is necessary to cook them.

When browned on one side, flip and cook until browned on the other side. Place them on a paper towel when done to absorb any excess fat.

Do the same with the Pepperoni slices as shown.

Place them on a paper towel when done. Here you can see all the fat the paper towels absorb.

Pour your Pizza Sauce into a small pot…

and turn to medium heat.

Using a clean large pan that has been heated to medium heat, place 1 Tbsp. of butter and 1/4 Cup grated Mozzarella Cheese into the pan, then place a slice of bread on top of the cheese

Cook the cheese for a minute or so until the cheese browns as shown. When done add some more butter to the pan and turn the bread over and brown the other side for about 3 minutes.

For the middle section of bread of the sandwich, simply add some butter and cook on both sides until browned.

For the bottom section of the sandwich, add more butter to the pan, then add your grated Mozzarella Cheese as before.

Then top with a slice of bread and cook until browned as shown.

Place your bread slices on a sheet pan lined with non-stick foil, with first slice having the cheese side down.

To assemble the sandwiches, place a dollop of Pizza Sauce on the non-cheese side of the top piece of bread, then top some sauce on the middle slice. Spread the Pizza Sauce evenly over the bread as shown.

Add a few slices of the Mozzarella over the first slice of bread.

Then add 4 slices of your Pepperoni on top of the sliced Mozzarella.

Now place your middle slice of bread on top of the Pepperoni, then add some more sliced Mozzarella and 4 slices of Capicola Ham as shown.

Add more sauce to the top of the Capicola slices then add some dried Oregano to taste. Now add your fresh Basil leaves to the Pizza Sauce.

Place the top slice of bread with the melted Mozzarella Cheese on top of sandwich. Add some Garlic Salt to taste, to the top of the sandwich.

Bake the sandwiches at 350’F for about 10 minutes or until the sliced Mozzarella inside the sandwich melts.

We hope you enjoy these Pizza inspired sandwiches as much as we did!

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Next Day Leftovers….

…With Some Potato Sticks

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The Leftovers Pizza Naan

We Created This Simply By Using Up Our Leftovers

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Ingredients We Used:

Naan

Leftover Shrimp

Roasted Garlic

Goat Cheese

Purple Moon Cheese (A Favorite!)

Pesto

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Some of This was Take-Out

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Gordon Toasting the Naan

This is a step that we do that most people don’t. We will toast our Naan on both sides for just a few minutes in a 350F oven.

It will just crisp it up a bit before you place your toppings.

Now that the Naan is nice and warm, Gordon is grating our Purple Moon Cheese on top.

In the back above, Gordon has smooshed some of the Roasted Garlic and is spreading it on the Naan.

He is now placing Goat Cheese on the Naan in the back, top.

Naan in the front have dollops of Pesto.

Place the Naan back into the oven with the Shrimp Toppings, just to warm them through and melt the Cheeses.

I Always Top Mine With Some Sort of Lettuce

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An Easy Tandoori Flatbread Pizza

My Very Simple Ingredients:

Tandoori Flatbread

Jarred Pizza Sauce

Marinated Pearl Mozzarella Balls

Red Grape Tomatoes

Garlic Salt

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Tandoori also makes an excellent Pizza. We do like to toast our bread before we add the toppings.

Just a few minutes on each side in a 350F oven.

Slicing My Tomatoes in Half

I LOVE these Marinated Mozzarella Balls!

They are marinated in Olive Oil with some lovely Herbs and Spices, adding more flavor to your Pizza.

With My Tandoori Ready….

I’ve Added Them to a Foil Lined Baking Sheet

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We love this Garlic Salt and add it to many of our Pizza creations.

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With My Pizza Sauce, Marinated Mozzarella Balls, Grape Tomatoes and Garlic Salt…

I Baked it in the 350F oven for about 10 minutes. But, it is up to you to decide how well done you prefer yours.

Don’t forget the Lettuce!

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We hope that you enjoy some of our Pizza recipes and ideas. Some of them are very easy and simple. But, it may not be something that you had thought of previously, that perhaps just might make you think of creating something similar that you hadn’t considered before.

Pizza, Pizza,

Julie and Gordon

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If you would like to view our other Italian food posts…….

Julie’s Italian Appetizers and Edible Gifts