Pizza: A Dish for All Seasons

By: Karen Phillips | June 30 2010
Posted in Rogue Valley - Cook It - Rogue Valley

If your idea of pizza is a boring round of dough topped with tomato sauce and grated cheese, it’s time to expand your horizons! Homemade pizza is a versatile and tasty way to celebrate the changing bounty of the seasons with fresh, seasonal produce.

Photo: Karen Phillips

Immediate Departure From the Norm

Instead of using a tomato sauce base for my pizzas, I like to rub the crust with a good olive oil and a liberal sprinkling of crushed garlic. Here in Southern Oregon, Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro and Summer Jo’s both make delicious handmade fresh pizza crusts. They're available in stores and growers markets throughout the Rogue Valley, in case you're not a DIY-pizza-crust kind of person.

Once the crust has been oiled, add a layer of fresh herbs (basil's a perennial favorite, and I've got lots of it right now). Their flavor will infuse the pizza, and the layer of vegetable toppings above them will keep the leaves from burning while your pizza bakes.

Toppings – Be Creative!

Your choices of pizza toppings are limited only by your imagination. Don’t be afraid to experiment! I’ve used green beans, olives - even fresh corn kernels. Some of my favorites include:

• Sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, slices of bocconcini (available at most local grocery stores)
• Eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, red bells and parmesan cheese
• Potato and sweet potato (sliced thinly), rosemary, local sausage and cheddar cheese

My most recent pizza creation was inspired by a visit to the Grants Pass Growers Market. I found fresh asparagus, porcini mushrooms and goat cheese from Mama Terra Microcreamery at the market, and added garlic, sundried tomatoes and olive oil from my pantry. The result was rich and unbelievably decadent – definitely something you won’t find at your local pizzeria!

Photo: Karen Phillips

Once you’ve assembled your pizza, bake it at 425 degrees until the edges of the crust begin to turn a golden brown and the fragrance of garlic, roasted vegetables and herbs fill the air – generally 12 to 15 minutes. Round out your meal with a fresh garden salad and a glass of local wine, and you have a fast, easy and elegant meal.

Do you have a favorite combination of pizza toppings? Share it here!