Anyone can be "the family chef". You just need good recipes and techniques! Chef Amy Fothergill shares her best recipes with you for quick and easy dishes with an emphasis on gluten-free.

Get information here about her cookbook, The Warm Kitchen: Gluten-Free Recipes Anyone Can Make and Everyone Will Love.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Gluten-free Margherita Pizza recipe

That's me, serving the GF Pizza while everyone waits patiently

Last month, I taught a Gluten-Free Baking class. It always gives me pleasure to see people get excited about good tasting food. I think this is especially the case with gluten-free because there is a lot gluten-free food out there that isn't good.

For this recipe, once you make the dough, the rest is easy. And now that it's summer with so many wonderful tomatoes and fresh basil, you can make this dish any night of the week. There are three things that I do think are important:
  • Pre-cook the crust for 5 minutes
  • Use tomato slices that aren't too juicy
  • Remove some of the moisture from the fresh mozzarella slices
Since the recipe is straight forward, let's get right to it. I have to say, it was one of my best creations. I hope you'll try it.

Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza

1 gluten-free pizza crust (recipe here)
2-3 fresh tomatoes, sliced (cut in half first, squeeze a little to remove some juice, then slice)
1 lb fresh mozzarella, cut into slices and placed on a plate with either a paper towel or kitchen towel to absorb moisture
2-3 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
Handful of fresh basil

1. Prepare crust. If you don't have a pizza stone, use a round baking sheet. Make sure to use the parchment paper and the cornmeal. Also, if you prefer a thinner crust, divide the dough between two sheets.

2. After the dough has pre-cooked for 5 minutes, remove from the oven. First, layer the tomatoes on the dough, leaving space for the crust. Top with cheese and then drizzle olive oil all over. Sprinkle salt and then place basil leaves on top.

3. Bake another 7-10 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is melted. For a crispier crust, slide dough directly onto oven rack for the last 3 minutes (place a baking sheet under to "catch" the cornmeal).

4. Cool about 3 minutes and then enjoy. You are welcome.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks and sounds awesome, Amy. I've never made pizza before, but plan to give this "healthy" version a try! Could be a fun family night....

The Family Chef said...

Hi J. I'll have to send you a dough recipe that's not gluten-free. You may not have the ingredients on hand.