Grilled Pizza

Stacey and I started grilling our pizzas last year. We loved it so much that we often grill more the bake our pizzas. It's not too hard, but there are some tricks.

First, we make our own dough. This is necessary, but it is fun. I will post a dough recipe later. I need to remember to take pictures of it while preparing it. It makes enough for two pizzas.

Second, the grill needs to be the right temperature. Most grilling is too hot for pizza dough, so it burns before the cheese and toppings warm. The best is a cooler grill, but still warm enough to cook the dough. I use half a chimney of coals, and I cook the veggies first, allowing the coals to burn down a little.

Third, we use a rolling pin to flat the dough so it is even and cooks evenly. This is helpful, though not necessary. We oil the top of it, and then use our hands to flip it onto the grill.

Fourth, you cook one side of the dough first. It takes a few minutes (3-6 minutes, depending on the heat of your coals). The uncooked dough will start to turn a darker color and will bubble. Once you start to see smoke (not steam), it is about time to flip the dough.

Fifth, have you ingredients cooked and ready to top. If you wanted cooked veggies or meat, why not grill it while the coals are too hot for the dough. Then chop them up and have them and your cheese and spices ready to add.

Sixth, flip the dough with tongs and/or spatulas, then add the topping quickly. The other side of the dough is cooking while you are topping your pizza, and the quicker you add the toppings the more time you will have to heat them and melt the cheese.

Last, use a large cutting board or stone to slide the pizza from the grill onto. This way it won't fold or spill the toppings when you are taking it off the grill. Plus you can cut it into pieces on this too.

Cooking pizza on the grill is a great way to enjoy a cripy, smokey crust without much difficultly. It cooks MUCH quicker on the grill than in the over, so we can eat it faster. The catch is that you need to cook some ingredients first. Ever way, it is a fun way to eat pizza!

ENJOY!
-S-