Grilled Pizza

The weather has been so nice the past few days with warm temperatures and sunny skies.  I decided to take advantage of this much needed change by firing up my grill.  It was a night of the boys coming and going, so I knew they'd be hungry once they hit the door.  My dinner choice was perfect - grilled pizza!  I picked up some prepared dough, got several toppings ready and made some pizza sauce.  Making a pizza on the grill may seem intimidating but truthfully, it's really, really easy and the outcome is crazy delicious!

Grilled Pizza

Prepared pizza dough  - or homemade dough, recipe is here

Homemade Pizza Sauce - 

• mix together - 1 8oz can of tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, dash of red pepper. 

Fresh mozzarella cheese - sliced or shredded

Grated Parmesan cheese

Toppings  - cooked sausage, pepperoni, hamburger, sliced onion, mushrooms, peppers, olives 

Make dough into a circle or really, whatever shape you can!  Just call it "rustic"

• Clean grill grates and set for direct cooking on high.
• Prepare toppings and set aside.
• In a small bowl, pour approximately 1/2 cup of olive oil.  Using tongs to hold, roll a paper towel to use to oil grates of grill.
• On a lightly floured board, gently shape dough into a circle.  Let rest for 5 minutes.
• When grill is hot, use tongs with paper towels to oil grates.
• Using a pizza peel or cookie sheet dusted with flour, transfer dough onto grill.
• Close top of grill and cook for 2 minutes.  Check dough and if needed, turn so that all sides are cooked.
• When edges are cooked, remove dough from grill and place grilled side up on peel or cookie sheet.

• Spoon on tomato sauce and using the back of a spoon, spread to edges of pizza.  Note ~ do not "over sauce."
• Lay slices of mozzarella cheese or sprinkle on top of tomato sauce.
• Add other toppings.  Note ~ don't layer on too many toppings or pizza will become soggy.
• Gently slide pizza back onto grill.  Lower heat to medium.
• Close lid and cook for approximately 2 to 3 minutes until bottom crust begins to char and cheese is bubbly.
• Remove from grill, let rest for 1 to 2 minutes before slicing.