rOASTED TOMATO PIZZA WITH FRESH BASIL AND HOMEMADE PIZZA SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:

1 ball garlic & herb pizza dough, (or dough of your choice)
2 cups of grape tomatoes, cut in half if large
Drizzle of olive oil
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Mozzarella balls, cut in half

Fresh basil, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

Make homemade pizza sauce (see below)

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and plastic bag then place in a bowl in a warm spot for 45 minutes prior to cooking.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray. Add the tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Place into the oven and roast for 10 minutes.

Spread the dough on a pizza sheet that has been coated with cooking spray and a sprinkle of corn meal. Spoon the sauce on the dough and spread evenly. Place the mozzarella cheese evenly over the entire pizza. Next, add the roasted grape tomatoes.

Place into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. Add fresh basil. Enjoy.

Roasted Tomato and Fresh Basil Pizza Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

8 miscellaneous tomatoes, cored & halved
1 large clove of garlic, cut into slivers
Onion powder, to taste
Oregano, to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
3 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped finely

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil then coat with cooking spray.

Place the tomato halves on the baking sheet then slide slivers of garlic stuck into each tomato half. Season the tomatoes with onion powder, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, along with a drizzle of olive oil.

Place into the oven and roast for 35-45 minutes, or until soft and juicy. Remove from the oven and pour the tomatoes and juices into a saucepan over low heat. Simmer until tomatoes reduce, about 10 minutes. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Add the tomato paste and stir well. Place the lid halfway on the pan and continue to cook until reduced enough for the sauce to coat the spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Taste and re-season, if needed. Add the fresh chopped basil to the sauce and stir to combine. Let cool. Spread sauce on pizza dough as needed then store in the refrigerator or freezer.

--Recipe taken from For the Love of Cooking--