Grilled Individual Pizzas

In honor of Father’s day and summer cooking in general, I thought I’d post this fun grilling recipe. It is especially well suited for small parties (and can be doubled and tripled for larger ones) and family meals meant to get everyone involved.

Ingredients:

Crust

• 2 envelopes dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115 degres)
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Olive Oil

Notes: Dough can be made in advance, and will keep in the refrigerator for several days or freezer for several months. Also make sure dough is room temperature before you work with it

Toppings

• Commercial Pizza Sauce (or your own recipe)
• Olive Oil (for ‘white’ pizzas)
• Shredded Cheeses
• Diced vegetables, fruits, and cooked or cured meats, whatever you like on your pizza!

Directions:

Crust: In a bowl stir yeast and sugar into warm water. Set aside for ten minutes or until foamy; stir again. Measure flour and salt into a large bowl; add yeast mixture and mix thoroughly by hand. Dough will be sticky.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead, adding a little flour is necessary, for about 5 to 10 minutes until dough is no longer sticky (or knead with an electric mixer with attachment for 5 to 7 minutes). Lightly oil dough and place in a bowl large enough to allow it to double in volume. Cover bowl with plastic wrap that has been oiled on the side that touches the dough. Let stand at room temperature for at least one hour or until doubled in volume.

At this point, the dough can be refrigerated for several hours or overnight. Do not punch dough down.

To form pizza crusts: With floured hands, pull off enough dough to make a ball 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Roll out dough into a 5- or 6-inch circle. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Repeat, using remaining dough to make 8 more crusts. Cover and set aside in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before assembling pizza.

To par-bake crusts for future use: Bake the crusts on a lightly greased cookie sheet in 400 degree oven for 3 to 4 minutes or until crusts are just firm (do not brown). Remove from the oven and pierce with a fork to release steam (they will have puffed up). Cool the crusts and place in an airtight storage container to either freeze for up to several weeks or refrigerate for up to 4 days Bring to room temperature before assembling. This is recommended for large parties as it makes the crusts easier to handle.

For pizza assembly: Raise the grate on the grill as far from the coals as possible. Bring coals to medium heat (or set to medium on your gas grill) – you should be able to hold your hand over it for 3-5 seconds: you don’t wan to burn your pizzas. Have pizza sauce and toppings ready for guests to assemble; toppings should be piled no more than 1/2 inch high (too many toppings on top mean the crust will burn before the toppings are cooked/warm).

To grill pizzas: for par-baked crusts: Lower grill cover. Watch pizzas carefully, because grilling will only take a few minutes. Pizzas are ready when cheese has melted. If pizzas are being added to the grill frequently place a pie pan over each pizza and then cover the grill to maintain steady heat.

for not par-baked crusts: Lightly grease grill before starting coals/heat. Place crusts on heated grill and turn over after a few minutes when the crusts become firm. Repeat on second side. Remove crusts and pierce puffed areas. add toppings and finish on the grill (pizzas are done when cheese has melted).

Makes 9 pizzas 5-6 inches wide or 3 measuring 12 inches.

Comments:

This dough recipe is very versatile and can also be used for more traditionally baked pizzas. It can be made in advance. The par-baked crusts can be kept in the freezer all summer for spur of the moment get-togethers. Always make sure dough/crusts are room temp before assembly. Extra dough can be made into breadsticks. Grilled pizzas are a great way to get creative with other summery and grilled flavors: try using seasonal veggies and fruits available locally.

Try pairing with a Fruit Pizza dessert for a pizza-party!