Basil - Tomatoes - Mozzarella - OH MY!
The weather is warmer, the beer is a little colder and everyone’s gardens are blooming! Summer food is some of the best and everything tastes better off the grill. Here are two of my summer favorites with on hand ingredients you should have all summer long! And yes….I know these are very similar, but hey…who doesn’t love basil and mozzarella?!
I would love to say I am an avid gardener who loves this time of year, but that would be a lie. My husband is the one with the green thumb, I just make his creation come to life through food! We always grow basil and tomatoes. And when the kids don’t eat them right off the vine, we actually have some to use for our favorite grill recipes. Check out these two below that are family favorites, super easy and taste even better with a glass of wine.
Enjoy!
Did you say grilled pizza?!
Ingredients
- Pizza Dough: this can be homemade, store bought or even procured from your local pizzeria!
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Your Favorite Pizza Sauce
- Fresh Basil
- Tomatoes
- Balsamic Glaze (optional)
- Fire up the grill to 400-450 degrees
- Roll your dough out to your preferred thickness, be sure to not exceed the size of your grill grates!
- Prepare your toppings, my favorite is Margarita!
- Slice your tomato’s
- Slice your fresh mozzarella
- Julienne your basil
- Let’s talk SAUCE! This can be done as a white or red pizza. I personally love to use olive oil with my favorite blend of spices (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, parsley); mix together in a small bowl and set aside. You can also use a store bought pizza sauce, there are plenty of good options from the sauce aisle!
- Now we are ready to get the party started, things move quickly so a helping hand is nice 🙂
- Take the dough and your toppings to the grill, lay your pizza onto your clean grates and shut the grill cover. This will take 1-3 minutes, keep an eye on the crust, it will bubble and when the bottom is golden brown flip it over.
- Brush the oil or sauce on and begin to layer on your toppings. Sliced mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.
- Shut the grill and allow it to cook for another 1-3 minutes. Keep an eye on the bottom so it doesn’t get too brown.
- Once the crust is to your liking, remove it from the grill by sliding onto a cutting board. Drizzle with Balsamic glaze, slice and MANGIA!
Pizza night is a love of family and friends for many reasons. Not only is it super yummy treat loved by adults and kids….it brings the family together for a meal and time aways from the tv, our phones and other distractions.
Making the pizza’s on the grill is even MORE fun because it is a fun activity and the more hands to help the better! Here are some of my favorite pics of the Dabiero family on our grilled pizza nights!
Grilled Caprese Chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts
- Italian Seasoning Blend
- Homemade or Jar Pesto Sauce
- Sliced Fresh mozzarella
- Chopped Tomatoes (I love heirloom!)
- Balsamic Reduction
Pound out chicken breasts and cover with Italian seasoning. Place chicken on the grill. Meanwhile, chop tomatoes to bite size pieces. When chicken is done, remove from grill. Brush pesto over chicken. Cover chicken with sliced mozzarella. Pile tomatoes on top and drizzle with balsamic reduction glaze.
I love this dish served with a great glass of wine!
