Not your Usual Holiday BBQ...How about an Artichoke Prosciutto Pizza?
Are you looking for something new to BBQ than the usual Chicken and Burgers? Wondering what to do with those beautiful artichokes that are at the Farmers Market? How about an Artichoke Pizza on the BBQ?
You can add just about anything to this pizza to make it how you like it, but since artichokes are in season and I happen to have a bush in my yard with a ton of artichokes that is what is on the menu today!
The ingredients are simple and it only takes about 20 minutes to make the whole thing. Now lets get started…
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| Artichoke Bush in Full Bloom in the Backyard Garden |
Ingredients:
Pizza Dough-You can make your own from scratch or you can use a store bought dough. I prefer the pre-made dough from Trader Joe's in garlic herb. It comes in a plastic bag and is usually located near the cheese section. There are also a few options in the can near the cut and bake cookies and dinner rolls at your local supermarket.
Sauce-Again, you can make your own from scratch or you can use store bought sauce. I actually prefer to use a pasta sauce rather than a pizza sauce. A nice light marinera works well as you don't want this pizza to be too soggy since it's going on the grill.
Cheese-I use a mix of Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina, and Provolone.
Toppings-I am going to be using sliced prosciutto and artichoke hearts
Olive Oil
Salt/Pepper
How to Prepare the Artichokes:
I cut them off of the bush the day that I use them. Bring a large pot of water to a high boil and put the artichokes in the pot. They should sit for about 20-30 minutes or until they become soft-not mushy or falling apart.
For my pizza, I used about 10 artichokes which seems like a lot but we are only going to be using the chokes. If you have your own artichoke bush, it is very easy as the bushes yield quite a lot of artichokes after about year 3. Once they become soft, strain them into the sink and let them cool off a bit.
Once cool, start to pull off the leaves. Be careful, they have sharp little point on the end of the leaves. If your going to eat the usual way, you would need to cut those points off but since we wont be using the leaves, no need to put in the effort.
Once all the leaves are off, you will need to get down to the actual heart. I use kitchen shears to cut down a portion of the stem as well as the top of the heart. There are what appear to be short "hairs" on the top of the heart called the choke. Use your scissors to cut those off to get to the flat part of the heart. Once you have cleaned all the artichokes, quarter them and put them aside.
How to Prepare the Dough:
Take your pizza dough out of the fridge, it will need to sit at room temp for about 20 minutes.
Light the grill (I am using a gas grill) and set to medium high.
Roll out your dough to a round or rectangle that will fit inside of your grill.
Oil the grill-use a paper towel soaked in olive oil and a pair of grill tongs to wipe down the grates.
Put your pizza dough directly onto the grates for about 2-3 minutes. You are looking for light grill marks, but not burned!
Take the dough off of the grill and put onto a baking sheet with the grilled side up! Make sure to flour that baking sheet so the dough doesn't stick.
Put your pizza dough directly onto the grates for about 2-3 minutes. You are looking for light grill marks, but not burned!
Take the dough off of the grill and put onto a baking sheet with the grilled side up! Make sure to flour that baking sheet so the dough doesn't stick.
Add your mariner sauce to the grilled side of the pizza, and remember to go light on the sauce
Add a small handful of cheese
Lay the sliced prosciutto over the pizza-as much as you like…this stuff is super good!
Add more cheese to cover the top
Add your quartered artichokes
Add salt/pepper to taste
Turn your grill down to medium
Put the pizza back on the grill with the lid down for another 5 or so minutes. You want the bottom to get some nice grill marks and you want the cheese to melt.
Once you start to see your dough bubbling, you are likely ready to go.
Take your pizza off of the grill, cut and enjoy!
Enjoy your Memorial Day! We hope you are remembering and celebrating with family and friends!
Love and Tulips,
Amanda from Irvine, CA
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