INSIDE MY KITCHEN: WHAT IS YOUR PIZZA PERSONALITY?

If you are devoted and caring, do you make a vegetable pizza?  If you prefer a carnivores delight, does that mean you are a "ham" and desire attention?  Or what about some non-traditional toppings like goat cheese, Merguez sausage (lamb), and mint?  Perhaps you are more exciting in the sack?

I believe, besides the dough, that the toppings of a pizza are the most important part of a pie.  I think that toppings are telling of a person's personality.    Your decisions can really change the basic pie and may get you another date with the guy/girl you were taken by.

I was a creature of habit growing up.  I loved pepperoni and mushroom.  We had to order two pizzas so we were all happy.  But, for some reason the comfort of knowing what I was going to get, made me more secure than taking a risk and ordering something I had never had before.  Comfort is great but, the thrill of biting into a pizza with toppings you havent had before is exciting and makes life a little more fun for 8 slices.

The following is a recipe for you that will slowly or quickly get you out of your comfort zone.  This grilled pizza is a great way to bring a family favorite outdoors.  I capitalize on the summer season by adding grilled nectarines and fennel to brighten each bite.

Grilled Flatbread with Italian Sausage, Nectarine, Caramelized Fennel and Fresh Mozzarella :

6oz  Pizza Dough (store bought is a great alternative if you dont have time)

3oz  Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

3oz  Italian Sausage

2oz  Fennel Bulb (shaved/thinly sliced/sauteed with1t olive oil on low heat for 7 minutes until golden brown)

1ea  Nectarine (grilled on both sides for 30 seconds each/sliced into 12 pieces)

2oz  Tomato Sauce (canned is perfect just add oregano)

1oz  Pea Sprouts (optional)
2T  Cilantro (whole leaves)

Here we go...First, heat your grill on high...Then after you have either bought the dough and or made the dough and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes it is time to roll it out.  Now, like the toppings, the shape of the dough is personal as well.  Are you a traditionalist and prefer the round pie that you used to?!  Or do you go for a rectangle or oval?!  The choice is yours. 

So go ahaid and start creating a crust along the edges by pressing the dough with your fingers in the shape you chose 1/4" away from the ends of the dough.  

Go around about 5-7 times until you are satisfied with the separation from crust and center.

Pick the dough up and using ur thumbs, flatten the middle by stretching the dough along the crust line. Go around and around...if the dough starts sticking add some more flour to your hands and to the surface area.         Form the shape of your pizza and the size.                                         

Lightly oil both sides of the dough and sprinkle generously with flour.  Using a well oiled kitchen towel and tongs, grease the area of the grill you plan on using.  Let the flames die down and gently place the dough onto the oiled grill. Dont walk away.  Cook for 1 minute and using a spatula and tongs, if necessary, remove from grill and set grilled side up.  

Add the tomato sauce to the grilled side of the the pizza dough...at this point the side on both is uncooked...

Add the cheese,

Add the sausage, caramelized fennel, and grilled nectarines.  Lightly oil the grill one more time and gently add the uncooked side of the pizza dough.  Cook for 1.5 minutes and remove from the grill onto a cutting board.  Cut into desired amount of slices.

Garnish the pizza with chopped pea sprouts and cilantro.  Finish with a little extra virgin olive oil.  Is that worthy of a second date?  My girl said yes...