Italian Style Pizza with Tomatoes, Green Peppers and Pepperoni Recipe

Next Friday night you won't be calling to order a pizza.  Instead, try this perfect go-to recipe if you want to make amazing pizza for your family, every time.  I like to saute my green peppers before actually baking them because they start to develop a sweet and smoky flavor.    Also, I use turkey pepperoni in this recipe.  I figure if I can cut the fat, without sacrificing the taste, let's do it!  

1 1/2 cups of my Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce (recipe follows)

1 lb. of fresh pizza dough (I go to the bakery section of my grocery store and ask for a thing of their fresh dough)

1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

1 green bell pepper, diced and then sautéed

Turkey pepperoni

1.  Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  Spray nonstick cooking spray on a round baking sheet and then roll out pizza crust on it.  

Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1 yellow onion, diced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

10 ripe tomatoes, diced

1/3 cup of white wine

1 teaspoon of chili pepper flakes

20 leaves of basil, cut into long strips

1 can of tomato paste

In a large pot, add the olive oil, onion and garlic.  Saute for a few minutes, or until the onions begin to get soft.  Stir in the tomatoes, wine, chili flakes and fresh basil.  Bring up to a boil and then turn down under low.  Cook for about 20 minutes, then add in the can of tomato paste to thicken.  Cook for about another 20 minutes and then serve.  If desired you can add up too a 1/4 cup of water to sauce for a less thick sauce.  

2. Spread the red tomato sauce on top.  Sprinkle cheese.  Place pepperoni evenly in rows on top of the pie.  After sauteing the green peppers with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil add to the pizza.  

3.  Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and dough is light brown.  

Mediterranean Burgers Recipe

We all know nothing quite hits the spot on a summer day than a juicy burger.  Try my Mediterranean Burger if you are looking for a change to your classic recipe.  Plus, they are super easy to make; just imagine garlic, red peppers, creamy mozzarella all topped off with a slice of tomato and peppery arugula.  

1 1/2 pounds of ground beef

1 egg slightly beaten

1/4 cup of grated bread crumbs

1 jar of red peppers with garlic cloves (you will only be using 2 garlic cloves and 3 red peppers of this)

1 tsp of of Season All

1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

4 slices of mozzarella cheese

4 slices of a tomato

1 small package of argula

4 hamburger buns (I like the honey whole wheat)

1.  Coat grill rack with cooking spray and then start it.  

2.   Open the jar of red peppers with garlic cloves.  Remove two of the garlic cloves and mince.   Take three red peppers and dice.

3.  In a large bowl combine the first six ingredients and mix throughly.

4.  Shape beef mixture into four 3/4  in thick patties. 

5.  Grill burgers uncovered on medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side.  On the last minute of cooking add a slice of mozzarella cheese.  

6.  Split rolls in half and toast cut sides on the grill. 

7.  Serve burgers on buns and top with a slice of tomato and a small bunch of arugula.