spring pizzas

text and photos by Monica 

After spotting a small tin of anchovies in my cupboard, I was inspired to make this light spring meal. Since the weather has been so beautiful I wanted something more refreshing and light for a change.

The twist to this Caesar salad is the cannellini beans. They add a nutritional punch and are a great contrast against the crunchiness of the bread and salad. This was perfect, colorful, and delicious too! Okay, so if your child is like mine, he might not go near that with a ten-foot pole. What to do? Add some slices of salami and a couple of different cheeses and create mini pizza for your little darling. Now that's what an Italian mom calls love!

Caesar Salad Pizza (and 3 Cheese Salami Pizza for the Kids)

Ingredients:

7 oz. bag of mixed salad (I used Trader Joe's Butter Lettuce and Radicchio)
1/3 cup Hellmann’s Olive Oil Mayo
7 anchovies (canned), finely chopped, almost into a paste
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove (finely minced)
1 small can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
pepper
¼ tsp oregano
¼ tsp thyme
¼ tsp grated Parmigiano cheese grated
2 tbs milk
pizza dough (store bought or homemade)

for the kids' pizza
sliced salami (I used Applegate brand)
¼ cup sharp cheddar, shredded
¼ cup gouda, shredded (not smoked)
¼ cup Manchego cheese, shredded
Salt
Pepper
Oregano

for the pizza dough
3 cups bread flour
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
1 ½ cup water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

Directions:

for the pizza dough
In a small bowl mix ½ cup warm water, sugar and yeast. Cover and let sit until mixture is foamy, 5-7 minutes. Add 3 cups bread flour and 1 tsp salt and mix in the stand mixer. Add the yeast and the rest of water. Mix 8 minutes. Cover and set in a warm place for one hour or until doubled in size. When ready, divide dough into two pieces.

for the Caesar salad pizza
In a bowl mix together mayo, Dijon mustard, anchovy, garlic, pepper, Parmigiano, and milk until combined. Set aside.

Meanwhile, set oven to 475 degrees and place a pizza stone at its lowest level. If you don’t have a pizza stone you can also use a sheet pan or pizza pan. Roll out the dough into a circle and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle the top with oregano, thyme and pepper. When the oven is hot, place the pizza on the stone or sheet and bake until golden (approximately 10 - 15 minutes depending on your oven’s heat). Let cool 5 minutes.

In a large bowl combine the salad mix and beans. Pour dressing over the top and mix gently. Then spread over the top of the pizza. Cut into slices and enjoy!

for the three-cheese salami pizza
Roll out the dough into a small round. Sprinkle with half the cheese, then top with salami slices. Spread the rest of the cheese evenly over the top. Sprinkle salt, pepper and oregano, then drizzle lightly with olive oil. Bake at 475 until edges are golden and cheese is bubbly. (Note: I make the kid version quite thin so cooking time is much faster. You can also add more cheese or or salami, to taste.)

Buon appetito!