Grilled Pizza

This isn't really a recipe. It's more a method of cooking that I'm introducing to you. Pizza, with all your favorite toppings, but cooked on the grill! Great for summer when heating your oven to 450 F makes your kitchen feel like a sauna. Instead you can have smokey brick-oven quality pizza outdoors! While this pizza turned out delicious, I have to admit that the whole process was a little stressful. But it was my first try. What makes grilling pizza a little tricky is how fast it cooks. Don't attempt this process alone! You need an extra set of hands to coordinate the timely flipping, topping, and removal of your pizzas. With experience you'll develop and routine and master the right temperatures for your grill.

INGREDIENTS
1 recipe pizza dough
extra virgin olive oil

Toppings:
cheese (I used an Italian cheese blend)
meat (optional- I used leftover grilled chicken breast)
vegetables (such as red and green bell peppers, cremini mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, and caramelized red onions)
fresh herbs (such as basil and oregano)

DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare pizza dough according to recipe directions.

2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

3. Divide dough in half or fourths (the smaller the round the easier it will be to handle on the grill). Using your hands dusted in flour, form each ball of dough into a thin round.

4. Brush the grill grate with olive oil and place the dough directly on the grill. Grill for 1-2 minutes until puffed and golden on the bottom. Using a large spatula or metal pizza peel, flip the dough over. Quickly brush the crust with olive oil and top with meat, veggies, cheese, fresh herbs (whatever you're using). Close the lid on the grill and cook until the cheese melts and the bottom is crusty and golden. (You may want to reduce the heat at this point to prevent the crust from burning.) Remove from the grill and let cool several minutes before slicing. Repeat with the remaining dough (depending on the size of your grill you can cook several at a time).

NOTE: Make sure you use pre-cooked meats and other toppings that will cook quickly. The pizza will not be on the grill for very long or it will burn- just until the cheese melts. And have all your toppings and necessary equipment ready to go- this is a fast process!!

Serves 3-4.

(Adapted from All Recipes)