Mediterranean Pita Crunch Pizzas
These delightful Mediterranean-inspired pita pizzas offer a crispy, flavorful base topped with a delicious medley of roasted red pepper puree, herby pesto, savory chorizo, and fresh vegetables. The combination of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses provides a creamy richness, perfect for satisfying your pizza cravings. Ideal for a quick lunch or snack, you can mix up the toppings to suit your tastes, but the roasted red peppers and cheese bring the magic. A light drizzle of olive oil over the pitas enhances the crispiness and enhances the Mediterranean flair of this dish.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
red bell peppers
3 medium (roasted and finely chopped)
tomato paste
2 tablespoons (ready to use)
fresh oregano
2 tablespoons (chopped)
prepared pesto sauce
2 tablespoons (ready to use)
pita breads
4 (each about 6 inches)
sun-dried tomatoes
1 1/2 ounces (cut into strips)
chorizo sausage
7 ounces (sliced)
mushrooms
7 ounces (sliced)
kalamata olives
2 ounces (pitted)
fresh mozzarella cheese
8 slices (thinly sliced)
shaved parmesan cheese
2 ounces (shaved)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
Quarter the red bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
3
Place the pepper quarters skin side up on a baking sheet and broil under a hot broiler until the skins blister and blacken.
4
Transfer the roasted peppers to a plastic bag, sealing it to allow them to steam as they cool down. Once cooled, peel away the blackened skins.
5
Blend or process the roasted peppers until they are finely chopped. Stir in the tomato paste and chopped oregano to create the pepper mixture.
6
On each pita bread, spread 1/2 tablespoon of prepared pesto sauce, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
7
Spread a layer of the pepper mixture on top of the pesto and sprinkle some sun-dried tomato strips.
8
Arrange the chorizo slices around each pita to form a ring, followed by mushroom slices and pitted kalamata olives.
9
Carefully place the mozzarella slices over each pita. Finish with the shaved parmesan cheese on top.
10
Arrange the pita pizzas on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, approximately 15-20 minutes.
11
Remove the pizzas from the oven and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Mediterranean Pita Crunch Pizzas?
These are crispy, flavorful pizzas made with a pita base, roasted red pepper puree, herby pesto, savory chorizo, and fresh vegetables.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How do I prepare the red bell peppers?
Quarter the peppers, remove seeds, and broil skin-side up until blackened, then steam in a bag to peel the skins.
Why should roasted peppers be placed in a plastic bag?
Placing them in a sealed plastic bag allows them to steam, which makes peeling off the blackened skins much easier.
What components make up the pepper mixture?
The pepper mixture consists of finely chopped roasted peppers, tomato paste, and chopped fresh oregano.
How much pesto should be used on each pita?
Spread 1/2 tablespoon of prepared pesto sauce on each pita bread.
What size pita bread is best for this recipe?
Pita breads that are approximately 6 inches in diameter are recommended.
What toppings are added after the pepper mixture?
Add sun-dried tomato strips, chorizo slices, mushroom slices, and pitted kalamata olives.
How should the chorizo be arranged?
The chorizo slices should be arranged in a ring around each pita.
What type of olives are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 ounces of pitted kalamata olives.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
You will need 8 thin slices of fresh mozzarella cheese.
What is the final cheese topping?
The pizzas are finished with 2 ounces of shaved parmesan cheese.
How long do the pizzas bake?
Bake the pita pizzas for approximately 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned.
What is the best way to serve these pizzas?
They should be served immediately while they are still hot and crispy.
Can I substitute or mix up the toppings?
Yes, you can customize the toppings to suit your individual tastes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 11 ingredients required for this recipe.
Is a border required when spreading the sauce?
Yes, leave about a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the pita bread.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
What quantity of fresh oregano is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh oregano.
How much sun-dried tomato is added?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 ounces of sun-dried tomatoes cut into strips.
What is the total weight of chorizo used?
The recipe calls for 7 ounces of sliced chorizo sausage.
How many mushrooms are required?
You will need 7 ounces of sliced mushrooms.
Should the baking sheet be prepared in a specific way?
The baking sheet should be lightly greased before arranging the pita pizzas.
How finely should the roasted peppers be chopped?
The roasted peppers should be blended or processed until they are finely chopped.
Is this recipe suitable for lunch?
Yes, these pita pizzas are ideal for a quick lunch or a savory snack.
What adds the 'Mediterranean flair' to this dish?
The combination of roasted red peppers, pesto, kalamata olives, and a drizzle of olive oil creates the Mediterranean flavor.
How should the mozzarella be sliced?
The fresh mozzarella should be thinly sliced before being placed on the pitas.
What is the role of parmesan in this recipe?
The shaved parmesan provides a creamy richness and is used as the final topping.
Can I use frozen pitas?
While fresh is preferred, frozen pitas can be used if thawed properly before baking.