Fresh Summer Pizzas

June 01, 2012
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Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Invite friends over, scoop up some superfresh ingredients, and throw an easy pie party.
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The Best Fresh Summer Pizzas

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Summer Grilled Vegetable Pizza

Our recipe for summer entertaining at its best: Invite friends over, scoop up some superfresh ingredients, and throw an easy pizza pie party. Making two different pies for your party means more fun, so select a contrasting pair to keep it interesting. Decide whether you want your pizza saucy, flatbread-like, or creamy; you'll find each type here.

 

When preparing our first recipe, if you're not in the mood to light up the outdoor grill, cook the vegetables in a grill pan.

 

 

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Pepper-Only Pizza

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Pepper-Only Pizza

If you're pro-pepper, this combination of sweet and heat will tickle your tastebuds—and it takes less than half an hour to make! Look for mild Sweety Drop peppers at specialty stores, or buy them on Amazon, here. You can also use chopped pickled sweet cherry peppers instead. A baking steel works great here if you preheat it for an hour.

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Banh Mi Pizza

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Banh Mi Pizza

If you're craving extra protein, try cracking two eggs over the cheese just before baking.

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Tomato-Ricotta Pizza

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Tomato-Ricotta Pizza

Red tomatoes are richer in antioxidants when cooked, giving you better access to lycopene (a disease-fighting antioxidant). The higher-quality ricotta you use, the creamier, and more delicious the pizza; we prefer Calabro brand.

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Grilled Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Bacon Pizza

Credit: Photo: Jason Varney
View Recipe: Grilled Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Bacon Pizza

This rich and hearty pizza is inspired by Tastebud, a food stand at the Portland Farmers' Market. They use a mobile wood-burning oven to make the most creative pizza slices in the region. A leggy cousin of broccoli, the delicate purple florets and thin stems of purple sprouting broccoli make an ideal topping for grilled pizza.

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Three-Cheese White Pizza with Spinach

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Three-Cheese White Pizza with Spinach

The higher quality the ricotta cheese, the creamier and more delicious the pizza; we prefer Calabro brand.

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Fresh Tomato-Feta Pizza

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Fresh Tomato-Feta Pizza

If olives are a deal breaker, leave them off; the pizza is still yummy.

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Prosciutto-Mozza Pizza

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Prosciutto-Mozza Pizza

For 30 more calories and 1 more gram of sat fat, you can use pepperoni in place of prosciutto.

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Local Farmers' Market Pizza

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Local Farmers' Market Pizza

Allowing the dough to come to room temperature will ease the rolling-out process. We love the combo used here, but feel free to play with other veggies.

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Veggie Grilled Pizza

Credit: Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Veggie Grilled Pizza

A sprinkling of bright, sweet mint complements the smoky grilled vegetables in this dish.

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Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza

Ditch the tomato sauce and give pizza a makeover by topping with fresh peach slices and two types of cheese. A drizzle of tangy balsamic reduction provides the perfect balance to the sweet summer fruit.

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BBQ Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: BBQ Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza

For a kid-friendly pie, substitute fresh mozzarella for the blue cheese. This savory pie will be a hit.

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Summer Veggie Pizza

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Summer Veggie Pizza

This pizza isn't just delicious—it's budget-friendly too! At just $2.49 per serving, your wallet (and your family) will thank you. If you have dough left over, freeze it; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.

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Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto, Arugula, and Lemon

Credit: Photo: Anna Williams
View Recipe: Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto, Arugula, and Lemon

Grilled flatbreads are a delicious base for a light, summery salad. The dough develops a yeastier, more complex flavor from a 24-hour resting period in the refrigerator. You can also use store-bought dough and begin with step 3 in the directions.

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Cobb Salad Pizza

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Cobb Salad Pizza

Add quick-cooking chicken cutlets and refrigerated pizza dough to a mix of fresh vegetables for a light and lovely superfast meal.

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Bacon, Tomato, and Arugula Pizza

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Bacon, Tomato, and Arugula Pizza

Instead of having an arugula salad on the side, put it on top of your pizza for fresh flavor that pairs perfectly with the tomato and applewood-smoked bacon pizza toppings.

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BLT Pizza with White Sauce

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: BLT Pizza with White Sauce

All the components of America's favorite summer sandwich are here—even the mayonnaise. Yes, it turns out adding some oil to the mayo makes a creamy sauce that fully covers the pie and gives a richer taste to the pizza.

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Caramelized Onion and Olive Pizza with Goat Cheese

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Olive Pizza with Goat Cheese

Sweet caramelized onions form a creamy pizza “sauce.” Intense spices make chicken kicken’. Peppery arugula dressed with lemon vinaigrette complements this rich pizza. Toss 4 cups arugula, 1 cup rinsed and drained unsalted canned chickpeas, and 1 shaved carrot with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

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