Grilled Pizza

Last evening, we grilled pizzas. A couple of weeks ago, for our first attempt at grilling pizzas, we had used pre-made pita flat breads, which worked well. This time, I didn't want to run to the store just for the crust, so I found a recipe on epicurious.com. Wayne thought these were a step up, so I thought I'd share it. If you decide to try it, it is easy, but just know that you'll want to start the dough several hours before dinner time. (It took mine about 1 1/2 hours to rise, then an additional hour to chill). And, if you have a favorite recipe for grilled pizza dough, or favorite toppings, I would love to hear about it!

Grilled Pizza Dough
- Adapted from a recipe on epicurious.com

Makes 4 10-inch pizzas

2/3 cup warm water
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons oil
1 3/4 - 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons kosher salt

To make pizza dough:
In a large bowl, mix together the warm water, yeast and sugar and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in oil, 1 3/4 cups flour, cornmeal and salt and blend until the mixture forms a dough. Knead until smooth and elastic. You may need to add the remaining 1/4 cup flour. I did not add additional flour, and ended up adding about another teaspoon of water instead. Spray cooking spray in a large bowl, put dough in the bowl and spray it with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise, about an hour, until doubled in size. Punch down and divide into four balls.

To roll out dough for pizzas:
Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray.
Roll out one ball of dough into a 10-inch circle. Transfer to the baking sheet and cover completely with plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough balls and stack the rolled out pieces on top of each other with plastic wrap between. (I sprayed each layer with cooking spray so that they wouldn't stick - I'm not sure whether this is essential or not). Be sure that the entire stack is well covered with plastic wrap. Chill in the freezer for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.

To make pizzas:
Take one rolled out pizza crust. (Keep the crusts you are not working with in the freezer - they are much easier to work with when they are firm). Spray one side with cooking spray. Carefully transfer it, oiled side down, onto your pre-heated grill. Grill until it is golden brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Take the crust off the grill, flip it over and placed the toppings on the grilled side. Then, carefully place it back on the grill until the under side is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly.

It really is less intimidating than it may sound.

And, I must include a couple of pictures of Aubrey. Because she is a little more stable when it comes to sitting...

She ate in her high chair for the first time last night. Doesn't she look impressed? ;) I don't blame her. I don't think oatmeal is as tasty as pizza either.