Indulge in the symphony of flavors and textures that is grilled eggplant pita pizzas. This delectable fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine features tender and smoky grilled eggplant slices, nestled atop crispy pita bread. The vibrant topping of juicy tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs dances on your palate, while the drizzle of olive oil adds a finishing touch of savory richness. With this recipe, you'll discover the art of creating these pizzas in the comfort of your own kitchen. We present two irresistible variations: a classic rendition with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese, and a vegan delight featuring a tantalizing pesto sauce and a medley of roasted vegetables. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and impress your loved ones with this culinary masterpiece.
Let's cook with our recipes!
GRILLED VEGETABLE PIZZA
Steps:
- Dough: Place flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a mixer fitted with a dough hook. While mixer is running, gradually add water, knead on low speed until dough is firm and smooth, about 10 minutes. Turn machine off. Pour oil down inside of bowl. Turn on low once more for 15 seconds to coat inside of bowl and all surfaces of dough with the oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm spot until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
- Sauce: Pour tomatoes into a strainer that has been fitted over a microwave proof bowl. Using your hands, crush the tomatoes. Press all juices into bowl. Set crushed tomatoes aside. Place bowl with tomato juices in microwave and cook on high until thickened to consistency of ketchup, about 20 to 25 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes to sauce. Cool to room temperature. Toppings: Slice some vegetables. Skewer onion slices to keep them together. Brush vegetable slices with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place vegetables on hot grill pan. When done, set aside. Assembly: Preheat your oven to highest setting, 500 or 550 degrees. If using a pizza stone, preheat oven 1 hour ahead. Punch dough down, cut in half. On generously floured work surface, place one half of dough. By hand, form dough loosely into a ball, stretch into a circle. Using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into large circle until very thin. Don't worry if your circle isn't perfect. If you get a hole, pinch edges back together. To prevent dough from sticking to counter, turn it over and add flour as needed. Transfer dough to pizza peel sprinkled with cornmeal. Ladle tomato sauce on pizza dough. Add assorted vegetables. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.
- Store-bought Pizza dough can be used instead .
GRILLED EGGPLANT PIZZA
Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h15m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Prepare the grill and let burn down to medium coals or heat gas grill on medium heat.
- In a colander set over another bowl, salt the eggplant and let drain for 30 minutes then rinse and dry.
- Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with pepper. Toss the peppers with a little olive oil. Place both on the grill and cook the eggplant until browned on the first side, about 3 minutes. The slices should be browned between the grill marks when ready to turn. Move them away from direct heat and cook on the second side until tender, about 10 minutes total. Cut the grilled slices into 1/2-inch dice.
- Cook the peppers, turning as necessary, until charred all over. Remove the peppers to a bowl. Cover and let the peppers steam to loosen the skins. When cool enough to handle, peel, seed, and tear into long, thin strips.
- Divide the dough into 6 equal balls. Working on a surface free of flour, roll each ball under your palm. As it rolls, it will stick slightly to the surface, creating tension that helps form a tight, round ball. Dust the work surface lightly with flour, pat each ball down lightly, dust the tops with flour, cover with a towel, and let rise for about 15 minutes. With a rolling pin, roll out each ball into a circle 8 or 9 inches in diameter and about 1/8-inch thick.
- Have the grill ready at medium heat. Have the 1/4 cup olive oil, eggplant, peppers, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, if using, olives, and cheese in bowls and ready by the side of the grill.
- Brush each dough round with about 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Place on the grill, oiled side up, and cook until browned on the underside, about 2 minutes. Turn and, working quickly, brush each round with another 1 teaspoon olive oil. Then scatter each with 1/6 each of the garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, if using, eggplant, bell peppers, olives, and cheese. Cover the grill and cook until the rounds are browned on the bottom and the cheese has softened, about 7 minutes. Transfer to plates and top each with an equal amount of the arugula. Spritz lightly with vinegar. Serve immediately.
GRILLED PIZZA WITH GRILLED EGGPLANT AND CHERRY TOMATOES
The grilled eggplant slices are equally good on their own, or use them instead of crusts for "eggplant pizzas" (see variation below). The slices have to be thick, so that you get a creamy interior with a charred exterior. If they're too thin, they'll just burn.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories pizza and calzones, main course
Time 40m
Yield 3 10-inch pizzas
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Prepare a hot grill. If you wish, marinate the eggplant slices in a vinaigrette dressing for 15 minutes before grilling (this is an optional step). Oil the hot grill rack with olive oil, either by brushing with a grill brush or by dipping a folded wad of paper towels in olive oil and using tongs to rub the rack with it. Brush the eggplant slices lightly with olive oil and season with salt. Place on the hot grill, not quite directly over the hottest heat, and grill for about 5 minutes, until charred. Turn the pieces over and grill for another 5 minutes. If they are getting too black too quickly, move away from the direct heat. They need to cook long enough so that they're charred on the outside and creamy and soft in the middle. Remove from the heat and cut into bite-size wedges. Set aside.
- Place a round of dough on a lightly dusted baker's peel or rimless baking sheet. Slide the pizza dough from the peel or baking sheet onto the grill rack. If the dough has just come from the freezer and is easy to handle, you can just place it on the rack without bothering with the peel. Close the lid of the grill - the vents should be closed --- and set the timer for 2 minutes.
- Lift up the grill lid. The surface of the dough should display some big air bubbles. Using tongs, lift the dough to see if it is evenly browning on the bottom. Rotate the dough to assure even browning. Keep it on the grill, moving it around as necessary, until it is nicely browned, with grill marks. Watch closely so that it doesn't burn. When it is nicely browned on the bottom (it may be blackened in spots), use tongs or a spatula to slide the dough onto the baking sheet or peel, and remove from the grill. Cover the grill again.
- Make sure that there is still some flour on the peel or baking sheet and flip the dough over so that the uncooked side is now on the bottom. Brush the top lightly with oil, then top with a thin layer of marinara sauce (no more than 1/4¼ cup). Arrange eggplant pieces and cherry tomatoes, cut side up or down, on top of the marinara sauce. Sprinkle with hot red pepper flakes and thyme or oregano. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Dot with feta or mozzarella or sprinkle with Parmesan. Drizzle on a little more olive oil.
- Slide the pizza back onto the grill. If using a gas grill, reduce the heat to medium-high. Close the lid and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the bottom is brown. Open the grill and check the pizza; the top should be hot. If you feel that it needs more time but the bottom is getting too dark, move the pizza to a cooler part of the grill and close the top. Use a spatula or tongs to remove the pizza to a cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve. Repeat with the other two crusts.
GRILLED VEGGIE PITA PIZZAS
Grilling these pizzas is a quick summery alternative to cooking them in the oven. If it's raining, simply pop them in a 350° oven for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. -Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a small skillet, saute onion in 1 tablespoon oil until tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute longer. Remove and keep warm. In the same pan, cook arugula just until wilted; remove and keep warm. , Brush one side of each pita with remaining oil. Layer with cheese, tomatoes, arugula, onion mixture, olives and capers. Grill pizzas, covered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 calories, Fat 18g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 45mg cholesterol, Sodium 609mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 17g protein.
GRILLED GREEK PITA PIZZAS
This easy flatbread pizza captures classic Mediterranean flavors in every bite. It works equally well as a speedy main dish or an appetizer. -Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the first six ingredients in a small bowl; toss to combine. Spread hummus over pita breads. Top with artichoke mixture; sprinkle with cheese. Grill pizzas, covered, over medium heat until bottoms are golden brown, 4-5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 585 calories, Fat 34g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 1336mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 15g protein.
GRILLED EGGPLANT PIZZA(VEGETARIAN)
After trying grilled eggplant on a pizza I was hooked! I changed the recipe so much that I have posted my version. Use more or less sauce, I like mine saucy! My DH, DS and DD all said it's one of the best pizzas they have ever had, and my DH doesn't even like eggplant! Enjoy!
Provided by Sharon123
Categories Vegetable
Time 45m
Yield 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place eggplant rounds on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and broil on low about 8" from flame, about 6-8 minutes on each side(or you may grill). Cut rounds in half. Set aside.
- In a large nonstick pan, lightly saute red bell pepper, scallions, red onion, and mushrooms in olive oil until tender, about 5-10 minutes.
- Layer pizza crust with spaghetti sauce, mozzarella cheese, eggplant, and scallion-red onion-mushroom mixture. Sprinkle over oregano and basil, lightly drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake in a 450*F. oven for 12-14 minutes. Cut into slices and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 258.8, Fat 14.4, SaturatedFat 7.6, Cholesterol 44.2, Sodium 657, Carbohydrate 18.5, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 10.6, Protein 15.9
Tips:
- Choose the right eggplant: Look for eggplants that are firm and have a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are soft or have blemishes.
- Slice the eggplant evenly: This will help them cook evenly. If the slices are too thick, they will take longer to cook and may not soften all the way through.
- Don't overcrowd the grill: If you overcrowd the grill, the eggplant slices will not cook evenly. Leave some space between each slice so that the air can circulate and cook them evenly.
- Cook the eggplant until it is tender: The eggplant should be tender enough to easily pierce with a fork. If the eggplant is not cooked all the way through, it will be tough and chewy.
- Use a flavorful marinade: The marinade will help to flavor the eggplant and make it more delicious. You can use any type of marinade you like, but a simple olive oil and garlic marinade is always a good choice.
- Top the eggplant with your favorite toppings: Once the eggplant is cooked, you can top it with any of your favorite pizza toppings. Some popular toppings include cheese, sauce, vegetables, and meat.
Conclusion:
Grilled eggplant pita pizzas are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for summer grilling. They are a great way to use up leftover eggplant, and they can be customized to your liking. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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