Pizza: sauteed vegetables

Pizza: sauteed/roasted vegetables

Un-cooked

Baked

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza crust large
• 2 cups of any pasta sauce of your choice
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese(any pizza blend will do)
• 1/2 cup of shredded pepper jack, Colby, cheddar or any combination of shredded cheeses
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated or powder
• 2 cups eggplant or zucchini, diced medium
• 1 cup bell pepper (red, green, yellow)  diced medium
• 1 cup onion diced
• 1 clove crushed garlic(optional)
• 1 tsp of freshly ground pepper
• 1 tsp of Italian spices (any kind)
• 1 tsp of rasam powder or chilli powder (optional)
• 6 tbs of olive oil

Method

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Dice all the vegetables into medium sized cubes (1/4"). In a pan saute garlic, onion, bell peppers and eggplant in 4 tbs of oil on medium heat. Let the vegetables brown a little before flipping and shaking the whole pan  to saute. Use the spatula sparsely to flip and twirl the vegetable. Saute for 10 minutes or so till all the vegetables are slightly browned and wilted. Add 3/4 tsp of the Italian spices, 3/4 tsp pepper, 3/4 tsp of rasam powder, 1 tsp salt and mix it in. Turn off the heat and set aside to cool.

Smear the remaining olive oil on both sides of the pizza crust and place it on a slotted pizza baking pan. Spread the pasta sauce generously on top of the oiled pizza crust. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp of rasam or chilli powder. Then top the pizza crust with the cheeses generously, covering the whole crust thoroughly. Layer the cooked sauteed vegetables evenly on top of the cheeses. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and the remaining spices, pepper and the rasam powder on top. Bake for 15 minutes or so till the cheeses are melted and slightly browned and the crust looks toasted. Remove from oven and slide the pizza onto a large cutting board. Cut into into 8 or so wedge shaped pieces and serve .

Cooking tips:

Also, tear a few fresh basil leaves and spread on top for a distinct flavor. You can vary the amount of sauce, toppings, spices and cheeses you use on the pizza. Can also saute mushrooms, tomatoes and use as add on topping. Just plain sliced green and/or black olives, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, can also be used as a topping without sauteing them.

Serving tips:

Serve with salad and garlic bread.