| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 410 | 18g | 7g | 45g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 3g | 21g | 1.2g |
Knowing my dual heritage and being a blend of two vibrant cultures, I am excited to share with you a splendid twist on a classic dish – Good King Henry’s and Feta Pizza. This multi-cultured, picture-perfect, and incredibly scrumptious pizza was born out of my love for traditional cuisine and the eternal quest to make food interesting, healthy, and flavorful.
The Fusion of Flavors – From the Pacific Northwest to Japan
Marrying the abundant flavors of the Pacific Northwest and my Japanese roots, this pizza celebrates the best of both worlds. Just like my sushi rolls and seafood dishes, this pizza utilizes the bounty of the Pacific Northwest region adding a touch of the exotic flavor with Good King Henry leaves, a humble yet highly nutritious plant native to certain parts of Europe. The feta cheese, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers grace this pizza with a vivid splash of color and an abundance of taste that can be very similar to Greek-style pizzas, but with an added twist.
Health Benefits and Complementary Dishes
This Good King Henry’s and Feta Pizza isn’t just good, it’s good for you. Our star ingredient, Good King Henry is a culinary treasure trove with several health benefits, being rich in vitamins A and C, and minerals such as calcium and potassium. The feta cheese contributes a fair share of calcium, while the tomatoes provide lycopene, well known for its antioxidant properties.
Furthermore, the mixed bell peppers and cherry tomatoes offer not only an extra crunch and sweetness to this pizza but also function as powerful antioxidants. Paired with a light salad on a summer day or a heart-warming soup during the chillier seasons, this pizza is heavenly comfort food no matter the setting.
I must underline my predilection for this recipe, for this is a perfect testament to the virtue of blending diverse cultures and flavors on a palatable canvas – the Good King Henry’s and Feta pizza turns a simple meal into a truly culinary journey. There’s something magical about biting into this pizza. It’s like taking a bite out of the world, from the Pacific Northwest to Japan, and every place in between.
What You’ll Need
- 1 large pizza dough
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Good King Henry leaves (Chenopodium bonus-henricus), chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mixed bell peppers, sliced
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapples, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a pizza stone, place this in the oven to heat as well.
Step Two
Stretch out your large pizza dough on a flat, floured surface to your preferred thinness. If you like a thicker crust, leave extra dough around the edges.
Step Three
Remove your pizza stone from the oven, if using, and carefully transfer your dough onto it. Alternatively, you can place your stretched dough onto a pizza peel or an upside-down baking sheet. Brush the dough with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Then, spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the crust.
Step Four
Evenly sprinkle your shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Follow this with your chopped Good King Henry leaves. Then, evenly distribute the crumbled feta cheese over the leaves.
Step Five
Next, add your toppings – halved cherry tomatoes, sliced mixed bell peppers, thinly sliced red onions, and chopped fresh pineapples. Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil on top of your pizza.
Step Six
Place the pizza in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Watch carefully as cooking times can vary widely based on your specific oven and the thickness of your pizza crust.
Step Seven
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes so the cheese has a chance to set a bit. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of salt and pepper, to taste.
Step Eight
Slice the Good King Henry and Feta Pizza into pieces and serve while still warm. Enjoy!
