Pizza

Some great flavors, two entirely different ways to serve them.

These famous “Arab pizzas” are traditionally made with bread dough rolled out extremely thin. Make them with the dough on page 137 and use one and a half times the amount of filling given here. Or use store-bought frozen pastry, as described below. It is not the same, but the result is equally delicious. Serve the tarts as an appetizer, or as a snack meal accompanied by thick strained yogurt and salad.

The dough given here is one of a variety used to make the famous Arab “pizzas” variously called lahma bi ajeen and sfiha. It contains yogurt and olive oil and is soft and moist. Small pizzas make good finger food; large ones make an excellent snack. They can be made in advance and reheated. Do also try the different toppings given in the variations below.

Briny olives and sweet green peas have a pleasant synergy that results in a delicious pizza topping.

Cheddar cheese is a pleasing change of pace from the usual mozzarella.

See the accompanying menu for a pizza meal that celebrates spring.

Layer on the Southwestern flavors in this playful pizza variation. Serve with a tossed salad and stone-ground tortilla chips. This tastes best with sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack, but use reduced-fat cheddar if you prefer.

Soy “pepperoni” has a convincing flavor, but not the greasiness of its meaty counterpart. Predictably, it’s low in fat (and sometimes fat-free) and a terrific way to jazz up a homemade pizza. This makes a fun meal for kids and teens with any of the smoothies on pages 245 to 246.

Pizza goes gourmet with the use of smoky mozzarella and tasty mushrooms. Like a number of the other pizzas in this chapter, this one makes a complete meal with the addition of a big salad and fresh fruit or a fruity dessert from Chapter Eleven.

With this luscious treat, you’ll need only a bountiful tossed salad (and perhaps a steamed green vegetable—broccoli is a nice addition) to make a delightful meal.

Roasted peppers and artichokes give this easy pizza a touch of elegance.

I’ve tried this pizza with frozen and fresh spinach, and while the former isn’t bad, fresh spinach makes it a delicacy. Complete the meal with one of the smoothies on pages 245 to 246 and a bountiful tossed salad.

Olives add zesty flavor to a traditional pizza.

Using plenty of broccoli makes this pizza a nourishing meal. Serve with any of the mixed greens salads on pages 51 to 53.

A classic pizza, this is great for cool summer nights, using the season’s best tomatoes.

This eggplant-lover’s delight is delicious with fresh or canned tomatoes. For a tasty summer meal, serve with a bountiful tossed salad and corn on the cob.

For pizza lovers, here are eight varieties to choose from. The basic dough makes two pizzas. The dough is easy to mix in the food processor.