Grill Eggplant and Mozzarella Pizza

Grill Eggplant and Mozzarella Pizza

Why this recipe works: the flavor combination of smoky grilled eggplant, charred pizza dough, garlicky tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese is undeniably addictive. To have this pizza on the table in less than half an hour, we use ready made dough from the supermarket. A simple uncooked tomato sauce made with canned diced tomatoes, garlic and basil gives our pizza bright, fresh notes. We start the cooking process by grilling our eggplant, then we put the dough rounds right on the grill. Once one side of the dough is toasted, we flip the rounds over, add the toppings, and let the cheese melt. When the undersides turn spotty brown, it’s time to eat.

Grilled Eggplant and Mozzarella Pizza

Ingredients: serve 4

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained

¼ cup chopped fresh basil

7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced salt and pepper

1 (1 pound) ball pizza dough flour for baking sheet

1 large eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into ½ inch rounds

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Procedures:

1. Combine tomatoes, basil, 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, and ¼ teaspoon salt in medium bowl and set aside. Divide dough into 2 equal size pieces. Press 1 piece of dough into small circle. Use rolling pin to roll and stretch dough into 12 inch round. Transfer dough round to parchment  lined rimmed baking sheet dusted with flour. Repeat with remaining dough, placing it on second parchmentlined, flour dusted baking sheet.
2. Brush eggplant slices with ¼ cup oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant over medium hot fire until lightly charred and soft, 4 to 6  minutes per side. Transfer to plate.
3. Brush top side of each dough round with 1 ½ teaspoon oil. Grill rounds, oiled side down, over medium – hot fire until undersides are spotty brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Brush top of each dough round with additional 1 ½ teaspoon oil and flip. Top each pizza with tomato sauce, eggplant slices, and cheese. Grill until undersides are spotty brown and cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve.

Quick prep tip Grilling pizza dough

Roll the dough pieces into two rounds. Brush the top of each round with oil, then grill them oiled side down. Once the bottom of the dough rounds become spotty brown, brush the top side of each with oil and flip them over to grill the second sides. Add toppings and continue to grill until the outsides are browned and toppings are melted.