Grilled Pizza with Pea Pesto, Caramelized Onions, Herbed Ricotta & Meatballs

With warmer weather on its way, it's time to clean up that grill and bring on the 2016 grilling season. And really...doesn't everything taste just a little bit better on the grill? Even pizza....

If you've never made grilled pizza, you'll be amazed by how simple it is. We've gone with pea pesto, caramelized onions, herbed ricotta and meatballs for our toppings, but feel free to dream up any accompaniment you wish. Marcia Selden Catering has more great summer recipes coming soon. 

Pea Pesto Ingredients

1lb.frozen peas, defrosted

1 shallot roughly chopped

1 clove garlic 

Juice & Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Fresh cracked pepper to taste

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 

Procedure

In a Cuisinart, pulse together all of the ingredients till smooth. Taste for salt and pepper and add if necessary. Set aside.

Herbed Ricotta Cheese Ingredients

1 cups whole milk ricotta

1 Tablespoon chopped Italian Parsley

2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil Chiffonade

Salt & Pepper to taste

Procedure

Mix together all of the ingredients till fully incorporated. Taste for salt and pepper and add if necessary. Set aside. 

Grilled Pizza Ingredients

Pizza Dough (we make fresh but you can use store bought)

3 sliced meatballs

1 cup caramelized onions

1 cup herbed ricotta cheese

1 cup pea pesto

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Procedure

Pre heat your grill to Medium High Heat, If using a gas grill

On a large, oiled, sheet pan, flatten the pizza dough with your hands into a 14-inch circle and brush the top with olive oil.

Carefully lift the dough onto the grill. After approximately one minute the dough will start to puff up. Flip the crust over. Brush the pea pesto on the dough, drop teaspoonfuls of the ricotta on the crust, scatter the caramelized onions and sliced meatballs and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Slide the pizza around on the grill rotating the pizza frequently so that different sections receive heat; check the underside often to see that it is not burning. The pizza is done when the top is bubbly and the cheese melted, about 6 to 8 minutes. We like to top ours with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately and make sure that you share it as it’s so yummy that you might not be able to stop eating it!