Foodbuzz Project Food Blog challenge #4: Grilled pizza

Sunday, October 10, 2010

One of my all-time favorite meals is grilled pizza. If you've never grilled pizza at home, you're in for a treat! I do not have any special pizza-making equipment, so this pizza can be made on a gas (or charcoal) grill without a pizza stone.

This recipe is vegan if you omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative (I used Follow Your Heart vegan mozzarella).


Grilled Pizza Recipe

Assemble the ingredients:

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour*
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup cool water

*A note about flour: Using "00" flour (if you can find it), makes the most authentic Italian thin-crust pizza. If you substitute whole wheat for some or all of the flour, you will get a thicker and more bread-like crust.

Proof the yeast:
Dissolve the yeast in the warm (not hot!) water then add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Set aside to "proof" for 10 minutes. It should foam up if the yeast is active. If it does not, your yeast may not be active or the water may have been too hot.

Combine:
Combine the olive oil, cool water, 1 tbsp sugar, and salt.

Mix:
Put the flour in the bowl of a mixer or food processor. With the mixer/processor running, add the oil mixture then the yeast mixture.

Knead:
When the dough forms a ball, remove from the mixer/processor and place on a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth.

Let rise:
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Let rise for about 1 hour.

Separate and roll:
For 4 medium to large pizzas, separate the dough into 4 smaller balls (or more balls for smaller pizzas). Roll each ball to about 1/4 inch thick and place them on baking sheets. 

Tip: to minimize sticking, sprinkle the baking sheets with cornmeal.

Preheat grill and assemble and chop the toppings:
Preheat your barbecue grill on high and assemble and chop the toppings of your choice. 

Tip: Slice toppings as thin as possible because the pizza will cook quickly on the grill!

Grill the crust:
Reduce the barbecue heat to low and place the dough directly on the grill. Cook on ONE SIDE ONLY until nicely browned. Remove and place on a baking sheet, cooked side up. 

The crust will smell amazing when it is cooked- like fresh-baked bread!

Add the toppings:
Top the crust with your favorite sauce(s), veggies, cheeses, etc. Don't be afraid to top every pizza differently! For vegans: this pizza was made using Follow Your Heart Mozzarella.

Grill:
Make sure that the grill is on low heat and place the pizza on an oiled piece of aluminum foil and close the lid. The bottom of the pizza will brown very quickly (in 5 or so minutes), so watch it closely! Remove the pizza from the grill when it has reached your desired level of doneness.

Slice and enjoy!

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