Mama Rachel’s Mediterranean Pizza

Name: Mama Rachel's Mediterranean Pizza
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2 pizzas (6 slices each).
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon active dry yeast; 1 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornmeal; TOPPINGS:; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced; 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced; 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Pizza has been a regular weekend dinner at our house since my pizza-crazy boys, now 21 and 25, were just little guys. We laughingly call pizza an art form around here. Every one is an original! —Rachel Barton, Austin, Texas

Ingredients

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornmeal
TOPPINGS:
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, thinly sliced
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, oil, salt and 1 cup flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.
Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400°. Grease two 12-in. pizza pans; sprinkle with cornmeal. Punch down dough; divide in half. Press to fit pans. Pinch edges to form a rim. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
Increase oven setting to 450°. Brush crusts with oil; top with garlic, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, olives and Parmesan cheese. Bake 10-12 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with pepper flakes and basil.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 216 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 307mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fat.

Originally published as Mama Rachel's Mediterranean Pizza in Healthy Cooking Annual Recipes 2015