Memories with My Grandma: Red Pepper Pesto Pizza

by simplylife on March 27, 2011

During my childhood my birthdays meant my Italian grandma would come over extremely early and the two of us would spend the entire day making pizzas from scratch for a family party that evening.  We would decide how many pizzas would be just cheese, how many topped with pepperoni and how many would have vegetables.  She taught me not to fear adding a sprinkle of flour here and there and how therapeutic kneading dough can be.


It never dawned on me (until right now, actually) that other kids might have slept-in on their birthday, played outside all day until company arrived, or (gasp!) ordered pizza!  For me, it was part of the celebration to spend the day covered in flour, sneaking in pinches of shredded cheese and listening to family stories. 


Things have changed from those birthday parties: I don’t have to hide wearing make-up, I pay my own bills and I have a husband I love dearly.  My tastes have also changed although I always preferred to eat my veggies; I’ve added whole wheat and flax to my pizza dough and this pizza goes as far as having a base without tomatoes.  


You know the phrase, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”  Well, I can’t thank my grandma enough for feeding me endlessly not only with her homemade soups and sauces, but with the ability to make my own pizza dough.


I know I post a lot of pizza ideas but this one has one of the best bases we’ve had: red pepper pesto!  The pesto is made using roasted red peppers, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella.  I started using the whole wheat flax dough I typically make, then used the red pepper pesto as the base and finished by topping it with olives, feta cheese and mushrooms.  It was such a fun mix of flavors and definitely a pizza worth recreating!




Red Pepper Pesto
Adapted from Rachel Ray

Ingredients:
1 red bell pepper, cleaned and halved
3-4 tbs. olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 – 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 tbs. lemon juice

Directions:
1. Roast the pepper: set oven to broil setting. Face pepper face-down on a baking sheet. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, when the skin begins to blacken. Remove from the oven and place in a bowl; cover with the lid. Let the pepper sit for about 20 minutes and then gently peel the skin off.

2. Add red pepper, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup basil leaves and lemon juice to food processor and puree. Add olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add additional mozzarella until desired taste and consistency.

~How did you typically celebrate childhood birthdays?
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  • Erica

    What great memories! And the resulting pizza skills you have? AWESOME! The dough looks perfect and I need to put feta on top of a pizza ASAP!

  • SassyAgapi

    mmmm! i love creating all different Mediterranean flavor pizzas :)

  • Meri

    Thanks for the recipe! This reminds me of when I was younger and we would always make homemade pizza, and we all got to pick our toppings for our quarter of the pizza. We always made it rectangular with the dough on a cookie sheet.
    Cheers!
    Meri
    merigoesround.blogspot.com

  • Toronto Girl West

    What a beautiful post – your grandma is the kind of grandma I hope to be one day.

  • Mom

    While I wipe my tears as I read this post and thought about reading it to your grandma and probably getting emotional again, I am amazed at your ability to not only share a new recipe (THIS LOOKS AMAZING!) but to do it in a way that is so personal and touching! One of my favorite childhood memories is definitely seeing a table covered with homemade dough, watching my mom and aunt put scoops of ricotta, covering it up with more dough, using the special roller to cut the strips and then I got to seal each one with the fork, square by square! Those days were priceless as they are still today!

  • Laural (bhealthier)

    Aw, cute memories and awesome recipe! Looks like a fabulous pizza!

    I just always had my brothers and sisters there, cake, and love! :)

  • Tip Top Shape

    This was such a nice post! While I usually spent the day of my birthday party cleaning, I always made my birthday cake with my grandma the day before :)

  • Debbie B.

    The pizza looks fabulous! What a great tradition with your grandmother … it's stuff like that that really makes a childhood and you can't replace those types of memories!!

  • Autumn@Good Eats Girl

    This seriously looks amazing! What a wonderful way to spend your birthday during your life!

  • Jennifer

    awwww thanks for sharing bday memories of your gram with us! =) its so sweet!!! and I love the idea of making a whole wheat flax crust! This is something I totally plan on trying with the hubs! =)

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

  • Mari

    Beautiful memory and what a mouthwatering pizza!

    Have a great week!

  • jenwinter26

    This pizza sounds excellent, the memories with your grandma, even better. A perfect read for me this evening, as I have been contemplating my son's make-your-own-pizza birthday party on and off all day. Thanks!

  • aipi

    Aww.. what a great post..you made me miss my grandma..

    Pesto pizza is my absolute fav n this looks appetizing :)

    US Masala

  • Hamaree Rasoi

    Your Grandma has left a very marvelous legacy of mediterrian pizza. Your pizza looks wonderfully delicious.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

  • Jolene – EverydayFoodie

    Great memory of your grandma and your childhood :-) I remember cooking with my grandma too. We made potato soup.

    Love all those olives on that pizza!!

  • Bergamot

    Lovely topping for a pizza, a great alternative from the usual tomato base.

  • tigerfish

    Thanks for sharing your memories and definitely the pizza looks wholesome!

  • Hannah

    Aw how sweet! Makes me think of how much I love my grandmas :)

  • decocinasytacones

    Wow, red pepper pesto!, this must be really good, I´m really fond of peppers of any kind!, green, red, whatever
    Love from Spain

  • Priya

    Wat a beautiful post, enjoyed reading ur wonderful memories with ur grandma, btw pizza looks simply irresistible..

  • Sushma Mallya

    Loved the way u made this pizza,Looks delicious!

  • Blackswan

    Nice shots! Mmm…. can smell pesto all the way from S'pore. Hahaha!

  • Suman Singh

    lovely post n beautiful memories…
    Pizza looks inviting..love the red pepper pesto..thanks!

  • Maria

    Yum that looks so good!

  • Junia

    wow this pizza looks scrumptious!! wowowow!

  • Only Fish Recipes

    wow..pizza looks just so delicious !

  • Betty

    thanks for the recipe it looks great :O)

  • Natalie

    That looks so delicious! I always equate corn dogs and homemade cake and ice cream with my birthday…I love birthdays :)

  • Belinda @zomppa

    What lovely memories and what a great way to keep them alive.

  • elmundodelola

    This is something I will eat at any time, either breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack… wonderful red pesto recipe

  • Beauty and Health Editor

    Well, this pizza looks interesting, but I noticed in the ingredients that you didn't put the toppings.

    I see mushrooms and olives on the pizza…Love those as they add character to the pizza.

    Personally I would add much more cheese to it though.

    Haven't made a pizza from scratch in years!

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