I created this recipe after a trip to my local farmer's market. I realized that, without intending to, I'd chosen all "red" produce - juicy cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onions - even some sun-dried tomatoes! Luckily, all those "red" vegetables taste even better when layered with mozzarella on a marinara sauced crust. For a spicy kick, I added the red pepper flakes. This pizza is fabulous as a quick weeknight meal, but can easily become the centerpiece of a cozy weekend party for friends. So, go to the grocery or farmer's market and stock up on "red" - oh, and maybe grab a nice bottle of it too!

INGREDIENTS

1 homemade or store-bought pizza crust
1 1/2 c [350mL] marinara sauce
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
1/2 c [75g] sun-dried tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, sliced
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/2 pint [230g] cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 1/2 c [168g] mozzarella cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

Spread marinara sauce on pizza crust, leaving 1/2 inch [13mm] border.
Sprinkle 1 c [112g] mozzarella cheese over sauce.
Layer red bell pepper strips, sun-dried tomatoes and onion over cheese.
Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Top pizza with cherry tomato halves and remaining 1/2 c [56g] cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees [204C] until brown on bottom and cheese is melted - about 15-20 minutes.

Who says that pizza has to be slathered with tomato sauce and dotted with pepperoni, or that blue cheese is only good as a dip for chicken wings? Not me! This pizza combines mozzarella with blue cheese and adds a layer of prosciutto. Then, it's topped off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and arugula. Sprinkling cool arugula over the hot crust makes this pizza unique, but adding the sweet/salty combo of balsamic glaze/prosciutto makes it special. Serve it in small squares as an appetizer, or, cut it in wedges as an entree - perfect for your next pizza party!

Adapted from Gemignani at Tortora's

INGREDIENTS

store-bought or homemade pizza crust
3 oz. [84g] prosciutto, cut in thin strips (about 5 slices)
1 small red onion, sliced
½ c [56g] crumbled blue cheese (gorgonzola, stilton etc.)
1 c [112g] shredded mozzarella cheese
balsamic glaze (reduced balsamic vinaigrette) - available at Trader Joe's
½ c [75g] baby arugula (rocket), chopped

DIRECTIONS

On ready-made or home-made pizza crust, layer mozzarella and blue cheeses, prosciutto strips and red onion slices.
Bake at 375 degrees [190C] for 20-25 minutes, until cheeses bubble.
Remove from oven and drizzle balsamic glaze over hot pizza.
Top pizza with chopped arugula.

Trader Joe's

Easy Entree: Red Pizza

Easy Entree: Blue (Bleu) Pizza