Do you ever have one of those days where you are a complete disaster and have no right to be in the kitchen? Like, have you ever spilled almost an entire bottle of vinegar all over the place? Twice? Yeah, that was me yesterday, while making this pizza.
It probably had something to do with the complete and total exhaustion I have been feeling since last week. The week and weekend went by so fast, I don’t think it has really sunk in yet that I finished! This weekend was graduation so my family came into town for the ceremony which was bright and early Saturday morning. It was a great time, but it was a crazy busy weekend. So busy that I woke up yesterday and my legs felt so sore, I could barely walk! Going to the grocery store was difficult!
And now that I have my dissertation out of the way, I can make my next exciting announcement which is that I have accepted a post-doc position at Arizona State University in Phoenix! My current advisor got a great offer to go there and she asked me to go with her! Me and Hubs will be moving out west at the end of September! But, now this means packing…the bane of my existence…sigh…
Now that I have had a little more free time, I have finally been able to share a recipe for #tomatolove hosted by Cassie from Bake Your Day and Ali from Gimme Some Oven!! These fabulous ladies are hosting a huge tomato party for the Recipe For Change Campaign which is trying to end modern day slavery on the tomato fields. It’s such a great cause and this week they are having a fabulous giveaway sponsored by Pizza Home Chef. Visit Recipe For Change to learn more about how to support tomato farmers.
I chose to do a simple caprese pizza…or is it a margherita pizza? They seem like the same thing…Whatevs. I used red and yellow tomatoes, but you can use whichever tomatoes you want! And I also drizzled some balsamic reduction all over the pizza. It adds such a great flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. raw pizza dough
- 1 tbs. plus 1/2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 small tomatoes (sliced; can use any combo of tomatoes)
- About 7 fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbs. brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper.
- Brush the olive oil evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the dough. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the dough. Spread the shredded cheese over the pizza. Arrange the tomatoes and basil on top of the pizza. Drizzle 1/2 tbs. olive oil on top of the tomatoes and sprinkle with a little more salt and pepper. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the dough is a light golden brown on the bottom.
- While the pizza is baking, add the balsamic vinegar and stir in the brown sugar in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Bring to a simmer and heat until the vinegar is reduced by half. Remove from the heat. Drizzle over the pizza as desired.
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My biggest congratulations my friend
This pizza looks like a fabulous way to celebrate!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Birthday CCU Undercover: Little Rock Cafe
I am totally drooling! I love this idea! I love balsamic reductions so much that any time I’ve made one, I always end up eating it straight out of the pot with a spoon (is that gross???) This pizza is so pretty!
Alyssa recently posted..Tom Yum Goong {Thai Hot and Sour Soup with Shrimp}
Congratulations to you again!! Your pizza looks of out this world and I love that you added balsamic reduction to it!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers recently posted..Chicken Fajita Quesadilla
mmm. this looks lovely. The balsamic really makes it. congrats on the dissertation!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) recently posted..Tropical Granola
Another great salad pizza!! I am loving this for summer time meals.
It looks gorgeous. 
You’re moving to AZ!! How very cool and HOT too. I hope yo love it out there. My Brother-in-law and wife moved to AZ last year… they love it. Congratulations on the new position.
Ramona recently posted..Strawberry Mango Smoothie
that happens to me too. I hate spilling vinegar b/c it smells your kitchen up for like YEARS. haha! Love this pizza though
claire @ the realistic nutritionist recently posted..Mandalay Bay Food & Wine Event Teaser
Fantastic pizza! Love the reduction on top.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie recently posted..Blueberry Walnut Oatmeal Pancakes with Vanilla Maple Glaze
Wow, what great news! Congrats on the position. You must be ecstatic! This pizza is right up my alley. I love it. And thank you so much for helping to spread the word!
Cassie recently posted..Spinach Salad Pizza
Congrats you AND to ASU. This pizza looks amazing, I love the balsamic glaze.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits recently posted..Mojito Chicken Wings With Wasabi Mint Cream Sauce & Free Tickets to the Cook-Off
CONGRATULATIONS!!! They are lucky to get you! And your pizza looks fantastic…I love the idea of the balsamic reduction…yum!
Liz recently posted..White Chocolate Bundt Cake~
Congrats! This pizza looks so good and I love the reduction on it!! I’m excited for you!
Julie @ Table for Two recently posted..Peach Parfaits
I hate days like that in the kitchen – but yours ended up with a big success
Anna @ hiddenponies recently posted..BANANA BREAD SCONES
This pizza looks wonderful and really delish! No problem, everyone does something or the other, similar to your spilling the vinegar. I loved the pizza….it shows what a great baker you are!
Oh my goodness yes!! This looks so good!! I would DEMOLISH this pizza, no joke.
RavieNomNoms recently posted..Pot Stickers a la Patrick
This pizza… is the most perfect pizza i’ve EVER seen. Literally want to jump through the screen and have it for breakfast with my coffee. sounds weird, but I wouldn’t be able to resist! I love your photos so much!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted..peanut butter cup crunch brownies.
Congratulations, Stephanie! This is such exciting news.
This pizza looks absolutely amazing, with its caramelized bits on the edges of the tomatoes. My mouth is watering just looking at it. Yum!
Good luck packing!
Jennie @themessybakerblog recently posted..#CookforJulia Espresso Mousseline Au Chocolat
That is so pretty with the multicolored tomatoes…and I know what you mean about being a disaster in the kitchen! Let’s just say much of my prized sea salt was spilled all over the kitchen not too long ago. I’m still not over that.
Cucina49 recently posted..Goodbye Is the Hardest Part
I know those days where I should be locked out of the kitchen all to well. I usually end up ordering pizza and throwing in the towel, but I’m so glad you stuck with this…it looks fantastic! PS: So excited for you and all the opportunity that ASU/Phoenix will bring. Did you have luck in finding a place to live?
Baking Serendipity recently posted..Because It’s Still Summer…