Friday, August 23, 2013

A Pair of Peach Pizzas

Fresh peaches paired with brie and basil, or pepperoni and fresh mozzarella, for a savory summer pizza.

A pair of peach pizzas

Luscious, ripe summer fruit . . . blah blah blah . . . nature's candy . . . blah blah blah . . . summer on a slice . . . yada, yada.

Look, I could attempt to wax eloquent about peaches, again, but I won't.  The point I'd like to make here is that your local fruit, in season wherever you live, tastes amazing.

Go eat some.

If you happen to live in a region where peaches grow, and you've already had at least a few fuzzy-lipped, chin-dribbled bites of juicy fresh local peaches this summer, consider this pizza.
Normally at this point I'd insert a rant about store-bought peaches, but not today, not this time.  The local grocery store I walk down to every 36 hours to buy a gallon of milk?  We had a tour of their produce section the other day, and as part of the tour my daughter got a local peach, a local pepper, a local early apple, a packet of local herbs, and an ear of local sweet corn.  A store that makes a point to source local (to them, that's within a 2 hr drive, with family-owned farms they've been doing business for generations) is a store worth patronizing in my book. Getting a 2 mile walk for me and the dog, freshly roasted Hatch chiles, and keeping the car in the driveway when we're out of milk are all excellent reasons too.  The peaches used in these pizza were not from that tour, though.
A pair of peach pizzas

Yes, there are two different peach toppings in this photo.  They were both delicious and, like choosing between my kids, I couldn't pick just one.  I got the idea for the basil, brie, and peach pizza from this sandwich at Two Peas, and it got me singing Reunited (with Brie) And It Tastes So Good around the kitchen.  It looked way too tasty not to try it on a pizza, and I'm so glad I did.
The fresh mozzarella, peach, and pepperoni pizza was a bone thrown to my kids.  I'd used frozen peaches to make a Peach and Peppadew Pepper Pizza (which is still in the Recipes to Blog About, Though the Photos Predate My Food Photography Challenge list) and knew that a slice of sweet fruit coupled with a salty cured meat makes a terrific topping.

a pair of peach pizzas

NOTE: This recipe is not gluten free as written, because I did not use gluten free pizza dough. To adapt this recipe for a gluten free diet please substitute the gluten free pizza dough of your choice, or make your own--here are some options:
http://glutenfreedoctor.com/gluten-free-flour-mix-white/
http://glutenfreedoctor.com/gluten-free-flour-mix-whole-grain/
Check labels to confirm that your other ingredients are also gluten free. Good sources for determining gluten free products can be found here:
http://knowgluten.me/2012/03/31/other-names-for-gluten/
http://glutenfreedoctor.com/gluten-free/
http://www.celiac.com/categories/Safe-Gluten%252dFree-Food-List-%7B47%7D-Unsafe-Foods-%26amp%3B-Ingredients/

A Pair of Peach Pizzas--#1 Peach, Brie, and Basil Pizza

1 pound of pizza dough, your choice, I have suggestions here in my Pizza Primer
olive oil, for brushing the crust
a small wheel of Brie (you won't use the whole thing, probably)
a peach, thinly sliced
a handful of basil leaves

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and preheat your pizza stone, too.  Don't have one?  Use a cookie sheet.  On an oiled piece of parchment stretch out the dough into a peach-like shape.  Brush the top lightly with olive oil. I was in the mood to not have the crust of Brie cheese because I just finished reading Michael Pollan's Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation (it may make you think twice on aged cheese.  Just sayin'). Suit yourself, but put slices of brie across the pizza dough.  It's going to run amuck in the oven, and that's OK.  Top with sliced peaches.  Bake for 5-8 minutes, realize that the Brie has run amuck and you cannot shimmy the dough off the parchment paper and just keep on baking until the cheese is bubbly, another 3-5 minutes.  Stack, roll, and slice the basil leaves while the pizza is baking.  Remove pizza to cool on a rack and top with sliced basil leaves.  Slice and serve.

a pair of peach pizzas

A Pair of Peach Pizzas #2--Peach, Pepperoni, and Fresh Mozzarella Pizza

1 pound of pizza dough, your choice, I have suggestions here in my Pizza Primer
olive oil for brushing dough
1 peach, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
about 3-4 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, if you use a pizza stone have it preheating as well, otherwise use a cookie sheet to bake.  On an oiled piece of parchment stretch out the dough into a peach-like shape, or go crazy and shape it like a nectarine.  Brush the top lightly with olive oil. Top with sliced peaches, sliced pepperoni, and sliced mozzarella.  Bake on the parchment for 5-8 minutes, then shimmy the dough off the parchment paper and just keep on baking directly on the stone or sheet until the cheese is browned and bubbly, another 3-5 minutes. Remove pizza to cool on a rack.  Slice and serve.

This post is shared at From the Farm Blog Hop, the Clever Chicks Blog HopTasty TuesdaysWednesday Fresh Foods Link UpWhat's Cookin' WednesdayWhat's In The Box, Food on Friday

And, because I had good light, couldn't resist, and only shared 1 photo in my last post, one more for the road:

a pair of peach pizzas

39 comments:

  1. Basil, Brie and peaches! That sounds absolutely amazing. I love your pizza topping combinations, Kirsten!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa,
      Thanks, I've got a seemingly endless supply of ideas for pizzas and pizza toppings! It helps that I keep getting inspired by all the food blogs, like the peach, basil, and brie sandwich by Maria at Two Peas and their Pod

      Delete
  2. I'm obsessed with peaches this time of year - we even have a peach tree in our yard that my husband planted for my birthday a few years ago! I'm always looking for new ways to use 'em up, and I LOVE the idea of the savory pepperoni/peach pizza. YUM!

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    Replies
    1. Amy,
      Your peach tree in the yard actually produces peaches?

      Lucky.

      We're a bit jealous here. My daughter's peach trees have beautiful spring flowers, lush foliage, and young peaches . . . but some varmint takes them before they get a chance to ripen.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  3. I picked 20 lbs of peaches a few weeks ago and never even thought of making a pizza with them, how silly! Wish I could have picked your brain. I think I need another round of peach picking after reading this!

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    Replies
    1. My brain is pretty much picked over, but you're sure welcome to give it a shot! Too bad peaches don't have seasons like fall raspberries or ever-bearing strawberries.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  4. love peach pizzas!

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    Replies
    1. Casey,
      Now that I've spent a couple of weeks working on them, I'd have to agree with you.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  5. I wish I had local produce within walking distance! I'll be making my way to the farmer's market tomorrow morning for sure now, hopefully they have some peaches ready. This looks great!

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    Replies
    1. Abby,
      I admit I feel spoiled living here. And I thought we chose this place because of the amazing Graeter's ice cream. Or schools. Something like that.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Lydia,
      Friends with peach trees and friends with dill seed--those are two biggies for me. I'll be the friend with basil, since I've got more than enough of it and can't seem to get going putting up pesto so I keep taking it to work to share.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  7. I can't even tell you how in love I am with pizza #1!

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    Replies
    1. Lauren,
      I hate to crush your dreams and tell you that we've eaten pizza #1 . . . but you probably have realized that!
      It was delicious and I'm grateful to Maria from Two Peas and Their Pod for giving me the inspiration for it!

      Delete
  8. I wish I had used brie on my peach pizzas. I used mozzarella and ricotta. Still good, but I can imagine that brie would be so much better...

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    Replies
    1. Sam,
      Now, ricotta sounds pretty good to me, and I admit the fresh mozzarella over the pepperoni was a nice touch. The brie tasted great--it was just a bit of a dickens in the oven, and I'm glad I'd used parchment paper as it ran all over the place.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  9. How come your pizzas always turn out so perfectly round? I love roasted peaches - esp with balsamic.

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    Replies
    1. Tammy,
      Clever photography angles. That's all. You'll note I'll never tell you to make a perfectly round pizza because I sure can't!

      Thank you for the balsamic inspiration--next year's peaches will get that treatment!

      Delete
  10. This is a great line: "If you happen to live in a region where peaches grow, and you've already had at least a few fuzzy-lipped, chin-dribbled bites of juicy fresh local peaches this summer, consider this pizza."

    Even though I don't eat meat, I can appreciate how the salty pepperoni must have complimented the sweet peaches. I bet it was amazing. I'd love to try the one with brie too because well I love brie, high faluting and all.
    What was in the Michael Pollan book about aged cheese? Do I even want to know?

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    Replies
    1. Meghan,
      I didn't put you up to praising my line, but I am pretty pleased with it. Thanks!

      Michael Pollan is just very . . . enthusiastic . . . about describing the various types of mold that colonize the cheese as it ages, and as they die off the next molds that infiltrate the cheese in stages. Almost like time lapse photography in words, if you will.

      Delete
  11. Both sounds and LOOKS amazingly delicious!!! It would be perfect with a glass of Rose wine - yum:)
    Cheers,
    J+C

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    Replies
    1. Judit and Corina,
      Rose sounds good to me, I can tell you that my zinfandel was also good with this.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  12. Yes, yes and yes! Basil, brie and peaches – definitely! And peaches, p'roni and fresh mozzarella – another yes. Lovely combinations and lovely photos! Thanks for the inspirations!
    Sarah

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    Replies
    1. Sarah,
      Thank you for your kind words!
      I get so inspired by you and the other food blogs I follow that it's nice to inspire back.

      Delete
  13. Now why didn't I think of that?! They both look amazing,and I can't wait to try them out!

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    Replies
    1. CeLynn,
      You would have thought of this, you were just busy thinking up some gorgeous sewing project (that divided basket is adorable!) and your brain can only handle so much creativity at once. I'm glad to think up the pizzas for you to be inspired by.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. Pepperoni and Peaches? That sounds amazing, and I never would have thought to put them together. My daughter would absolutely love the brie pizza!!!

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    1. Lisa,
      My kids ate both, but I think they preferred the pepperoni one. Like my kids, I'd find it hard to pick one ;)

      Thanks!

      Delete
  15. This looks absolutely gorgeous! Pizza anything makes my knees weak. Add peaches to the mix and I am totally yours. Wish I could be there for dinner :)

    Amy | Club Narwhal

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    Replies
    1. Amy,
      I'll need to make bigger pies--I've cut back on pizza size while my spouse is away, making smaller pies but keeping the variety--but I'd grab another bag of dough for you.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  16. I adore peaches, but adding them to pizza has never occured to me.. What an interesting idea. Thanks for inspiring me. I think it could be my next cooking masterpiece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Writer,
      I'm glad to inspire. If you get creative, please let me know how it turns out.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  17. Beautiful looking peach recipe! Thanks for linking up to From The Farm Blog Hop!We've shared yours as one of our peachy favorites this week on From The Farm! Check it out here: http://myhealthygreenfamily.com/blog/wordpress/from-the-farm-blog-hop-is-live-6/

    Thanks for sharing and we are looking forward to seeing what you share next week!
    Leona from www.myhealthygreenfamily.com
    From The Farm Co-Host.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leona,
      Thanks so much for including my peach pizzas in your peach favorites!

      Delete
  18. I totally just died and went to heaven...more fruit pizza please!

    Thanks for sharing and linking up :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heather, the other day--cantaloupe and that prosciutto/mozzarella roll--YUM!
      But it will be up next year, I need to step away from the fruit!

      Thanks for hosting!

      Delete
  19. I love to see people step out of the box with pizza. grilled fruit is so delicious with meat and I would enjoy both of these. The sweetness of the peach with the pepperoni would be heavenly (better than pineapple).

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  20. Looks delicious and very interesting. Great ideas for dinner this evening and some other day!
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    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have cooked one of those. It is an interesting recipe and it does taste good. Plus it is always good to have some new ideas for cooking either dinner or lunch on the weekend or any other day.
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    ReplyDelete