Mediterranean Delight Pizza with Velvety Caramelized Onions
Embark on a culinary adventure with this Mediterranean Delight Pizza, where the rich flavors of caramelized onions take center stage. While the preparation may require some time and effort, each component of this dish is crafted to perfection, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Imagine a crispy, golden crust topped with a heavenly mixture of sweet, tender onions, roasted vegetables, and creamy feta cheese. This isn't just a pizza; it's a celebration of Mediterranean ingredients that will transport your taste buds to sun-soaked coasts. The individual components—caramelized onions, roasted eggplant, and vibrant bell peppers—can be prepared in advance, making your cooking experience smooth and enjoyable. Get ready to savor every bite of this exquisite pizza that’s as impressive as it is delicious!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
29
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1/4 cup (for caramelizing onions)
sweet onions
3 lbs (sliced thin)
garlic cloves
8 (pressed)
fresh thyme or dried thyme
2 tablespoons or 2 teaspoons (crushed)
fresh oregano or dried oregano
1 tablespoon or 1 teaspoon (crushed)
bay leaves
2 (whole)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
eggplant
8 ounces (peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes)
roma tomatoes
2 medium (peeled and diced)
fresh basil or dried basil
1 tablespoon or 1 teaspoon (crushed)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for roasting vegetables)
capers
1 tablespoon (drained and rinsed)
warm water
1 cup (for dough)
yeast
1 tablespoon (for dough)
sugar
1/8 teaspoon (for activating yeast)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for dough)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (for dough)
whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 cups (for dough)
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (for dough)
olive oil
4 tablespoons, divided (for brushing and topping)
fresh marjoram or dried marjoram
1 teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon (for topping)
fresh basil or dried basil
1 teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon (for topping)
fresh oregano or dried oregano
1 teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon (for topping)
feta cheese
1 cup (crumbled for topping)
red bell peppers
2 (roasted, peeled and cut into thin strips)
kalamata olives
1/3 cup (pitted, sliced in half lengthwise)
parmigiano-reggiano cheese
1/2 cup (grated for topping)
red pepper flakes
to taste (for serving)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the caramelized onions. In a heavy skillet, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over low heat. Add the sliced onions, pressed garlic, fresh thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and most of the moisture has evaporated. Discard the bay leaves and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
2
Next, let's roast the bell peppers. Preheat your broiler to high. Core and halve the red bell peppers, placing them cut-side down on a broiler pan. Broil for 10 to 15 minutes or until the skins are blackened. Once charred, transfer the peppers to a paper bag and fold it closed for about 10 minutes. Once cooled, peel off the skins and slice into thin strips.
3
For the eggplant and tomato mixture, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In an ovenproof pan, combine the diced eggplant, peeled and diced roma tomatoes, minced fresh basil, capers, and a tablespoon of olive oil. Stir well to combine, then place in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once tender, season with salt and pepper to taste.
4
Prepare the herb oil for the pizza topping by finely mincing the fresh marjoram, basil, and oregano. Combine the minced herbs with 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat until fragrant, then set aside.
5
Now, let’s make the pizza dough. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water with the yeast and sugar. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes until bubbly. In a medium bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour and the remaining 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. Add salt to the remaining flour mixture. Stir the yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the flour gradually until it forms a soft, non-sticky dough. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, then place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise for 20 minutes or until doubled in size.
6
Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and lightly oil a large pizza pan (15-inch). Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead briefly before rolling it into your desired shape. Stretch the dough to fit the edges of the pan, forming a slight crust.
7
Brush the area within 1/4 inch of the crust with the warm herb oil mixture. Evenly distribute the crumbled feta cheese over the dough, followed by the caramelized onions, roasted eggplant mixture, roasted bell peppers, and sliced kalamata olives. Finish by sprinkling the pizza with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
8
Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crisp. Serve hot with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition Information
16.7g
Fat
26.7g
Carbs
8.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary flavor profile of the Mediterranean Delight Pizza?
The pizza features a harmonious blend of velvety caramelized onions, roasted eggplant, vibrant bell peppers, and creamy feta cheese.
How long does it take to cook the caramelized onions?
The sweet onions should be cooked over low heat for approximately 45 minutes until soft and moisture has evaporated.
At what temperature should the eggplant and tomatoes be roasted?
The eggplant and roma tomato mixture should be roasted in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
How do you prepare the red bell peppers?
Broil halved peppers until blackened, steam them in a paper bag for 10 minutes, then peel and slice into strips.
What ingredients are used for the pizza dough?
The dough consists of warm water, yeast, sugar, whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil.
How long does the dough need to rise?
After kneading for 5 minutes, the dough should rise in a lightly oiled bowl for 20 minutes or until doubled in size.
What is the preheat temperature for baking the pizza?
The oven should be preheated to 475 degrees Fahrenheit for baking the assembled pizza.
How long should the pizza bake in the oven?
Bake the pizza for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
What types of cheese are used as toppings?
The recipe uses crumbled feta cheese and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Is the Mediterranean Delight Pizza vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is specifically tagged as a vegetarian dish.
Can the individual components be prepared in advance?
Yes, the caramelized onions, roasted eggplant, and bell peppers can all be prepared ahead of time.
What herbs are cooked with the onions?
The onions are flavored with fresh or dried thyme, oregano, and bay leaves.
How is the herb oil topping prepared?
Mince fresh marjoram, basil, and oregano, then warm them in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until fragrant.
What is the calorie count for this pizza?
One serving of this pizza contains 300 calories.
What type of onions are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 pounds of sweet onions, sliced thin.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe includes 8 pressed garlic cloves to be cooked with the onions.
What types of flour are combined for the dough?
The dough uses an equal mix of 1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour and 1.5 cups all-purpose flour.
How do you remove the skin from roasted peppers?
Place the charred peppers in a closed paper bag for 10 minutes to allow the steam to loosen the skins for easy peeling.
What ingredients are in the eggplant mixture?
The mixture includes diced eggplant, diced roma tomatoes, minced fresh basil, capers, and olive oil.
What are the final toppings layered on the dough?
The layers include herb oil, feta, caramelized onions, eggplant mixture, roasted bell peppers, and kalamata olives.
What is the total amount of flour used?
The recipe uses a total of 3 cups of flour for the dough.
What size pizza pan is required?
A large 15-inch pizza pan that has been lightly oiled is recommended.
How is the yeast activated?
Combine 1 cup of warm water with yeast and 1/8 teaspoon of sugar and let it sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 16.7 grams of fat.
What is the protein content per serving?
One serving of this pizza provides 8.3 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates does one serving have?
There are 26.7 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What should be done with the bay leaves?
The bay leaves should be discarded after the onion caramelization process is complete.
How is the pizza recommended to be served?
Serve the pizza hot with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
What type of olives are included?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of pitted kalamata olives, sliced in half lengthwise.
How are the roma tomatoes prepared for the roasting process?
The roma tomatoes should be peeled and diced before being combined with the eggplant.