Preseason Pizza

What a great evening! Tonight started with a trip to the farmer's market yielding a bag full of goodies. I was finally able to bring my husband, and of course we were hungry when we went.

some of the farmer's market goodies

When we got home it was time to figure our what was for dinner: we wanted to use some of what we'd bought, I wanted to use some leftovers from the fridge, and it had to be fast. Not only were we hungry, but there is football on! Two games: Pats & Bengals, Colts & Eagles. Given, it's the preseason and Vick can't play (so I can't boo him), so they aren't the most exciting games ever, but hey, I'll take what I get. So on that note I present my first recipe:

Clean Out the Fridge Pizza

I made this out of my farmer's market purchases and what I had lying around, but man, it was tasty. Feel free to substitute for things you don't like or things that you have on hand.

Ingredients:

• 1/2-1 cup pasta sauce
• 1 package Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Dough

Toppings:

• 1 medium-large tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium button mushroom, sliced thin
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 hot banana pepper, seeded, membrane removed, thinly sliced
• 1/2 medium green bell peppers, seeded, chopped
• 15 slices pepperoni
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced, 1/4" thick
  
• 3-5 leaves fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven 400℉
2. Grease 10x15" or larger cookie sheet. Unroll Pizza Dough. Bake for 5 minutes.
3. Remove dough from oven and cover with pasta sauce. Use less than you think you should as mozzarella and tomato will make the sauce more watery as they bake
4. Spread toppings on pizza dough, saving the shredded mozzarella for the top (last ingredient)
5. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
6. Let cool at least 5 minutes before cutting.

Makes: 4 servings for regular people, 2.5 for my husband & me

It was a little more watery than I would have liked, but when you use that much fresh produce (and the fresh mozzarella) that's what you have to deal with. I was able to sop a little bit up with a paper towel, and then it was delicious.

Who wants pizza? and yes, it's a Mets coaster.

Serve with a cold beer and enjoy the game!