Summer Preview: Grilled Pizza

It's been forever, I know.

A lot of things have changed with me. I have worked at a local orthodontic practice for almost a year now, as a technology manager, and I've been making big strides with my photography business. So... I've been busy, to say the least. Also, I've moved. I'm no longer living downtown, but the name is going to remain "Downtown Dish" out of nostalgia :)

I moved to a one bedroom apartment just a couple of blocks from the beach and I LOVE it. The only thing is, my kitchen is tiny. TINY.

That's the entire kitchen. I can't even fit a microwave in there (I do have one- right outside the doorway to the kitchen though). It works for me though. It's harder to keep clean, because one thing out of place makes the whole room look chaotic, but I've gotten used to it. I'm still cooking very regularly and I have lots of new recipes to share.

Since it was gorgeous out last week, I've already gotten the itch to grill. I know, we are definitely not anywhere close to grilling weather- did you see the SNOW this week? But, we can definitely start thinking about it. It's coming in the near future.

Today, I'm not writing a recipe per se, but a technique. For..... Grilled Pizza! One of my favorite things to make during the summer. I actually photographed this last year, but never wrote about it. Until now! Here is how I do it:

GRILLED PIZZA

• Homemade or store bought pizza dough, I use whole-wheat
• shredded cheese, I use both mozzarella and cheddar
• assorted toppings
• pizza sauce
• cooking spray

-Prep the dough: Put your pizza dough on a greased cookie sheet, give it spray with the cooking spray, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until it doubles. 
-Pre-heat your grill on medium-high heat, then take your pizza dough and stretch into a large round shape. 

-Spray the dough on one side with the cooking spray and carefully place sprayed side down on the grill. 

-Close the grill cover and let pizza dough begin to cook.
-Once the dough has cooked on one side (about 5-7 minutes over medium heat) use a wide spatula to lift it off the grill.

-Hold the dough away from the grill's flames and spray the other side with cooking spray, then place sprayed side down on the grill.
-Spread your sauce on the pizza, then a layer of cheese, then toppings. I also like to finish with another light sprinkle of shredded cheese.

 -Close the grill and continue to cook for another 7-10 minutes over medium-low heat, until dough is completely cooked on the bottom and cheese is melted.

-Carefully use your wide-spatula to transfer the pizza onto a large platter or baking sheet.


One of my favorite things about grilling pizza is the nice, smoky flavor that it has, but also that in the hot summer, you don't have to turn the oven on and make the house unbearably hot.


I know that the weather here in Connecticut it seems like Summer is still far off, but it will be here before we know it and then we can get grilling!