There’s something downright magical about combining the creamy goodness of hummus with the vibrant, smoky flavors of grilled veggies—it’s like a culinary symphony on a pizza crust! I remember the first time I tried this combination at a summer barbecue; it was a revelation, a game-changer for my taste buds that left everyone clamoring for more. It’s funny how a simple twist can transform a classic dish into something utterly unforgettable, almost like rediscovering an old song with a new beat.
Steps
- Prepare the pizza dough by combining the ingredients and kneading for about 5 minutes. Place the dough ball in a bowl, cover loosely, and let it rise in a warm place for one hour.
- While the dough is rising, make the hummus using a food processor or blender, ensuring it is smooth and spreadable. Keep the hummus refrigerated until needed.
- Clean the vegetables and slice the zucchini, summer squash, and red onion into half-inch thick pieces. Drizzle the squash with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Preheat a countertop grill and grill the squash for about 5 minutes. Wipe the bowl, coat the portobello cap and onion pieces with the remaining oil, and grill them too.
- After grilling, cut all the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Slice one of the roasted red peppers from the jar into strips.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a pizza pan with non-stick spray and a sprinkle of cornmeal.
- Punch down the dough, flour your hands, and stretch it into a 16-inch circle. Spread half of the hummus over the dough using the back of a spoon.
- Top the dough with the grilled vegetables and, if desired, sprinkle with crushed red pepper.
- Bake the pizza for 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven until the crust is golden brown. Cut the pizza into 8 slices and enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 large pizza dough
- 1/2 batch hummus, any variety
- 1 small zucchini
- 1 small summer squash
- 1 medium portobello mushroom cap
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/3 of a 12 oz. jar roasted red peppers
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
Nutritional Values
Calories: 482.48 kcal | Carbohydrates: 96.73 g | Protein: 17.2 g | Fat: 18.63 g | Sodium: 1765.63 mg | Fiber: 8.78 g | Sugars: N/A | Cholesterol: N/A
FAQ
- Can hummus really be used as a pizza sauce?
- Absolutely! Hummus acts as a perfect substitute for traditional pizza sauce and cheese, offering a rich and creamy texture. It complements the flavors of grilled vegetables, making for a delicious and unique pizza experience.
- How do I prepare the vegetables for the hummus pizza?
- Start by washing the vegetables and slicing them into half-inch thick pieces. Toss the slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper before grilling them for about five minutes. After grilling, cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces for topping the pizza.
- What if I don’t want to make pizza dough from scratch?
- No worries! You can often find raw pizza dough balls at your local pizzeria or in the frozen section of your grocery store. Simply thaw and stretch them, and they’re ready to use.
- What equipment is needed to make the hummus?
- You will need either a food processor or a blender to make hummus. A food processor is generally more convenient for this task.
- How long should I bake the hummus and grilled vegetable pizza?
- Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Tips
- If you want to save time, consider purchasing pre-made pizza dough from your local pizzeria or the frozen section of your grocery store. This can be a convenient alternative to making the dough from scratch.
- When preparing the hummus, ensure it is smooth and spreadable by adding enough liquid. This will make it easier to spread evenly over the pizza base.
- Use a countertop grill to quickly and efficiently grill the vegetables, and cut them into bite-sized pieces after grilling for easier topping distribution.
- For an added crunch, sprinkle cornmeal on the pizza pan before placing the dough. This not only prevents sticking but also gives the crust a delightful texture.
Equipment
- Food Processor or Blender – Essential for making hummus.
- Countertop Grill (e.g., George Foreman Grill) – Used for grilling the vegetables.
- Pizza Pan – For baking the pizza in the oven.
- Non-stick Spray – To prepare the pizza pan.
- Cornmeal – Used for the pizza crust, if not already available at home.
