| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 15 mins – 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 410 | 26g | 11g | 36g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 20g | 3g | 15g | 1.2g |
Welcome to my all-time favorite savory-sweet combination: the Pizza Garnished with Mozzarella and Artemisia. Its irresistible medley of flavors boasts not only a delicious spectrum of tastes, but also a plethora of health benefits. Fresh fruit, mozzarella cheese, and aromatic artemisia leaves meet atop a crusty pizza dough, creating an innovative masterpiece that offers both nutrition and taste. Trust me, you are in for an unforgettable culinary experience!
Colorful Creation with Heartfelt Story
As a mom of three beautiful adopted children, I always strive to create meals that are not only delectable but also fun and healthy. This pizza recipe sprouted from one of our family’s frequent Friday pizza and movie nights when I decided to experiment with fruit as toppings. The result was the Pizza Garnished with Mozzarella and Artemisia, an instant hit with my children, and now, hopefully, your family too.
Unexpected Delight
Though initially skeptical about the union of pizza and fruit, we were collectively entranced by the unexpected delight of the slightly caramelized fruit mingling with the creamy mozzarella, all enhanced by the minty aroma of fresh artemisia. If you’ve ever enjoyed a California-style chicken and barbecue pizza, you’ll love this fruitful spin that offers a light, refreshing balance to the usual savory-heavy palette.
Never heard of artemisia? It’s a delicate, fragrant herb often used in teas, but here it truly shines as a pizza topping, adding a tantalizing herbal note that partners perfectly with the robust flavors of the cheese and fruity sweetness.
Health in Each Slice
Don’t let the deliciousness fool you – this pizza is a powerhouse of nutrients. From antioxidants in the berries to the vitamin C in kiwis and peaches, each slice delivers a delightful health punch. The artemisia, in particular, is a superb source of iron and vitamin C, and is known for its digestive benefits.
This Pizza Garnished with Mozzarella and Artemisia makes a perfect standalone meal but could also be paired with a light fresh salad for a perfect Italian-inspired dine. Enjoy!
What You’ll Need
- 1 pizza dough (about 1 lb)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh artemisia leaves
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup grapes, cut in half
- 1 ripe banana, sliced
- 1 ripe kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 1 ripe peach, pitted and sliced
- 1 ripe apple, cored and sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven while it preheats.
Step Two
On a floured surface, stretch or roll out your pizza dough to a 12-inch circle. Brush the dough with one tablespoon of olive oil.
Step Three
Once the oven is heated, carefully transfer the pizza dough to the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for about 7-8 minutes, until it starts to brown.
Step Four
While the pizza dough is baking, prepare your fruits. Wash and dry all fruits, then slice the strawberries, banana, kiwi, peach, and apple. Cut grapes in half. Keep all fruits separate as they will be added at different times.
Step Five
After the pizza has pre-baked, remove from the oven and spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border for the crust. Spread the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Then, scatter the artemisia leaves over the cheese. Return the pizza to the oven for about 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
Step Six
Remove the pizza from the oven and start adding the fruits. First, add the strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. Return the pizza to the oven for 5 minutes.
Step Seven
Next, remove the pizza once again and add the remaining fruits – banana, kiwi, peach, and apple slices. Sprinkle the whole pizza with a teaspoon of sugar, and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Return to the oven for another 5-7 minutes, until the fruits are warmed and the sugar has caramelized slightly.
Step Eight
Finally, remove the pizza from the oven. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes, then slice and serve. Enjoy your Pizza Garnished with Mozzarella and Artemisia!
