Do I post too many pizza recipes?
I hope the answer to this question is no, because I'm about to post another. A portobello pizza with garlic sauce and kale, to be exact.
I just couldn't help myself! I'm feeling pretty jazzed about pizza lately since I made two discoveries:
1) The best whole wheat pizza crust recipe in existence.
2) The magic of pizza stones.
The Crust
So let's talk about the crust. In all of my previous pizza recipes, I've called for pre-made crust. When I've tried making my own pizza crust in the past, it never turned out well and it always took so much time to do—I mean, isn't the point of pizza that it's supposed to be a quick meal? And you expect me to make my own crust? Psshh. But after overcoming my fear of baking with yeast, I started experimenting with pizza crust. And then I found this recipe:
Bookmark it, print it, pin it, whatever you need to do. Because this recipe is awesome. It tastes good, it's easy (even with the yeast!), and the best part is, Martha Stewart includes instructions for making these crusts ahead and freezing them. So then when you want to make a quick pizza dinner, you'll already have the crust ready to go. Brilliant, right?
The Pizza Stone
And then I finally got a pizza stone. Being the shallow food blogger that I am, I bought it solely for aesthetics. My round stainless steel pizza pan is never photo-worthy, so I figured a stone would look much better in my pictures. But apparently these things aren't just for looks because my crust turns out far better on the stone. Imagine that! No more unevenly baked crust. And here's a little secret—you're supposed to use cornmeal on your stone to prevent your pizza from sticking, but a little bit of parchment paper works much better.
So in summary, Martha Stewart Whole Wheat Pizza Crust + Cheapo Pizza Stone = Best Pizza Ever. And if you want to put my theory to the test, try this Portobello Pizza with Roasted Garlic Sauce and Kale. (Even if you don't want to put my theory to the test, you should make this pizza. It works with pre-made crusts too!)
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large head roasted garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large portobello mushroom thinly sliced
- 3 cups kale leaves torn (not tightly packed!)
- 1 prepared pizza crust or about 10 oz pizza dough rolled into 13-inch circle (or less dough for a thinner crust, more for thicker)
- 1 cup fontina or mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to temperature indicated on pizza crust package or, if you're using dough, preheat to 450°F. Place pizza stone or baking sheet in oven.
- Remove roasted garlic cloves from skins and place in small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mash with fork until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushroom slices and cook until softened, 3–5 minutes. Add kale and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
- Place pizza crust on parchment paper. Spread roasted garlic sauce onto crust, leaving a 1-inch edge on all sides. Top with half of cheese, mushrooms, and kale, then remaining cheese.
- Carefully transfer pizza on parchment paper to pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for time indicated on crust package or 10–15 minutes if using dough, or until crust is golden brown and kale is just beginning to crisp.
Lysa says
wow this pizza has some of my favorite ingredients. The addition of kale makes it look so yummy. Also, I don't think you post to much pizza recipes. There is never too much pizza posts. (or cookie posts)
Kiersten says
That's what I say too--you can never have too much pizza. 🙂
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
I'll have to try out that dough recipe! I have a tried and true recipe I've been using for years, but I always like trying new recipes out. I've seen a few recipes with parchment paper going onto a stone but always wondered if the parchment would burn (I usually crank my oven to 500F with the stone at the bottom for pizza). I use a wooden pizza peel and slide the dough onto the stone, which had a mighty learning curve let me tell you, but once I figured out a few tricks it was amazing. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kiersten says
I've been cooking my pizza at 450 and so far, the parchment paper hasn't burned. Getting a peel is next on my list. 🙂
Meghan @JaMonkey says
Wow that kale looks great. I don't do mushrooms but I bet I could find some great substitutes.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I seriously can't believe you didn't have a pizza stone before! I'm gonna try that crust! Mmmmm
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
So pretty and comforting! This is pizza you can feel good about serving!
Maria Tadic says
This looks great - I'm not a big baker either and have always used pre-made crust. But I trust good 'ol Martha! I'll hafta try it out.
Also, I am DEFINITELY going to try the parchment paper on the pizza stone - I have on and used cornmeal before...a little too much cornmeal, and it burned and set off the fire alarm. It was wonderful.... 🙂
Kiersten says
Ha! I have been guilty of setting off a few fire alarms in my day too...
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
Anything like "to many pizzas recipes" exist. There's never enough of them. I love to make my own pizza and am always happy to find new ideas.
Kiersten says
I agree! 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
No such thing as too many pizza recipes...ever.
Kiersten says
That's what I think too.
Jessi says
This looks so tastey! I should make a big batch of those crusts! One of my favorite things to do is make "leftover _______(whatever)". If I had those crusts ready I could be making leftover pizza once a week with all my food scraps!
Kiersten says
I love the idea of making pizza with leftovers!
tijuana (po' man meals) says
this sooo looks delicious! kale is my favorite veggie to eat, alongside mushrooms. so this pizza has my name written all over it!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Whenever I see your vegetarian creations, I think about becoming a vegetarian too. This pizza looks just wonderful.
Kiersten says
Aw, thank you! 🙂
JulieD says
I love my pizza stone!! I'm definitely trying this recipe...it looks so good!! And one can never have too many pizza recipes!!
Anna says
OMG, you just blew open my world! We have a pizza stone but the crust always sticks! Everyone always raves about pizza stones but I never understood it. We are going to try this recipe with your non-sticking tip. I can't wait!
Kiersten says
Yeah, I didn't even bother with the cornmeal because I knew it would be a disaster if I tried it. I'm sure someone is out there scoffing at me right now for being so inauthentic, but hey, it makes clean-up a LOT easier! 🙂
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says
I am a big pizza person, esp the home made kind so there is nothing called too many pizza recipe. I have a pizza crust recipe i use but when I tried whole wheat- it was not as good. Will certainly give Martha's recipe a try 🙂 thanks for sharing.
Kiersten says
Yeah, I know what you mean--sometimes whole wheat pizza crusts just aren't good. This one is definitely the best I've had though!
Hannah says
Love the recipe! I am new to your blog, but as a fellow vegetarian cook I am totally digging your recipe's. Keep up the awesome cooking!!
Kiersten says
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
Heck yes! I have to make this ASAP! Seriously making me drool... that whole wheat crust. I'm all over it. And I too have a pizza stone to use! 🙂
A farmer in the dell says
Martha has been there for me in times of doubt. This crust looks perfect! And the toppings are out of this world. Sold.....I'm getting a pizza stone and making Martha's crust!
Kiersten says
Yeah, whenever I'm in need of a staple recipe like this, I always check the Martha Stewart website. Never fails!
ea-the spicy rd says
There is absolutely no such thing as too many pizza posts IMO 🙂 I'm sticking to my pre-made Udi's pizza crusts because they're thin and crispy-something I have yet to achieve with homemade {yet!} Love your toppings-mushrooms on pizza are another MUST IMO, and of course you can never go wrong with kale either 🙂 Delicious looking pizza-please keep posting more!
Kiersten says
I think I could do a whole blog devoted to pizzas. Don't encourage me. 😉
Daria says
I am ashamed to confess I have never eaten kale in my life. But after reading your blog, and believe me, you often mention it in your recipes, I think it is some kind of "must try":)
Kiersten says
You should try it! I like it because it's a little bit more chewy than other greens. You know how spinach gets slimy when you cook it? Kale doesn't. And I find it to be less bitter than a lot of other greens (like chard or mustard greens), but I know some people find kale to be bitter too, so it might just be me. 🙂
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
This sounds so yummy! I love kale.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
There can never be too much pizza...especially with a roasted garlic sauce. This sounds so good!
Shirley says
Is there such a thing as too many pizza recipes? I have to try that whole wheat pizza recipe. The only time I tried whole wheat dough was premade from the store, and it was like cardboard. But we've made regular pizza dough lots of times. And I love my pizza stone, and you can use it to bake bread too! And your parchment tip is handy for keeping the stone pretty too. Mine looks, um, heavily used. 🙂 I also like the roasted garlic idea.
Kiersten says
Yeah, a lot of the pre-made whole wheat crusts are pretty nasty. People like to throw around the whole "tastes like cardboard" thing, but that quite literally does taste like cardboard.
Bernadette @ Now Stir It Up says
In my opinion you can never have enough pizza. The possibilities are endless and I personally love it!! My pizza stone is my best friend. Easiest way to get a crispy crust. 🙂
Kiersten says
Yup, that's why I love pizza--it's so versatile. And easy too.
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
look SO good! Kale and I am a fan!
Apryl @ Christian Clippers says
That looks delish! I've been looking for a good pizza crust recipe :)!