BBQ 1/2 Chicken and Cauliflower Pizza (BCCP)

Your patience has just paid off.  

After two days of unfulfilled promises, today is the day that you will learn how to make delicious BBQ pizza at home!  This recipe was the result of total spontaneity and creativity.  I had been craving pizza for a couple of days, and finally it reached the point that I couldn't hold out any longer.  But instead of dialing 1-800-Domino's or 1-888-PapaJohn's, I decided to use what I had on-hand and make my own pizza pie. :)

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie

That's amore

When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine

That's amore

Bells'll ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling

And you'll sing "Vita bella"

Hearts'll play tippi-tippi-tay, tippi-tippi-tay

Like a gay tarantella

Ahhhh...Dean Martin and the 1950's...wait, where was I?!

Oh yes!

Giving you a BBQ pizza recipe, now I remember!

This pizza is a BBQ lover's dream!  It has a thin, crispy crust that is piled high with healthy and flavorful toppings.  The rosemary and thyme are a MUST, because they lend a depth to the flavors that would otherwise be missing.  If you don't like cauliflower, feel free to substitute it with zucchini or sweet potato.  Sliced red onion might also be a great addition!

Note:  I have my own bread-maker (thanks Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul!) that includes, among its numerous features, a dough setting.  Therefore, I followed the recipe included in the bread-maker cookbook for pizza dough, and added 1 tsp dried rosemary and 1 tsp dried thyme during the "mix-in" cycle.  After a little less than two hours in the machine, I had perfect and aromatic pizza dough that required almost no effort, kneading, or clean-up!

BBQ 1/2 Chicken and Cauliflower Pizza (BCCP)
Serves 4

cornmeal, for dusting
1/4-1/3 C BBQ sauce
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 head cauliflower. chopped
1 small chicken breast, baked and diced (optional)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4-1/3 C shredded cheese (I used Daiya)
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• After buying or making your own pizza crust, sprinkle a large baking sheet with cornmeal and evenly spread out the dough.
• Distribute an even layer of BBQ sauce over the dough.
• Decorate the pizza with the tomatoes, cauliflower, chicken, garlic, cheese, and seasonings (in that order).
• Bake for 10-15 minutes until the crust is crispy, but not burned.
• Cook for five minutes.
• Serve alone or with a garden side salad.

After devouring the entire pizza in less than 24 hours, we decided that the only thing we might do differently next time would be to add a chopped red onion.  The red onion would really offset the BBQ flavors nicely.  Other than that, this is homemade pizza perfection!

Also, if you're wondering why this recipe is called "BBQ 1/2 Chicken and Cauliflower Pizza" its because, since I am vegan (and therefore don't eat animal products), I only put chicken on half of the pizza.  Ta-da!  

Up next - the final cruise post.  Don't miss it!!!

Question of the Day:

What are your favorite pizza toppings?  Only cheese?  Pepperoni and cheese?  Supreme?  Do tell!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo