Pizza Rounds

Only a few more days till I’m back in Austin, Texas. The mountain air coupled with the sweetness of family and dear old friends makes me want to hang up the cowboy boots I never owned and move back home tomorrow. In fact, if it wasn’t for Ryan, Cricket, and Margot, I’d likely extend my stay in Colorado for a few more days. There is just something about these mountains. And then, of course, there is just something about this newborn. I don’t know if I’m just hormonal? If something clicks ON when you turn 25? But Susanne’s little baby has stolen my heart.

On one of the first nights I arrived in Colorado, I made a batch of pizza rounds for my family to share as we waited for this newest baby to join our world.

I’m not shy when it comes to pizza–I love it and could eat it every night of the year. And when it comes to toppings, I’m also simple. Fresh tomatoes, a sprinkle of garlic, mozzarella cheese, and basil.

And pizza crosses generations, doesn’t it? My 70-year-old-father (who would HATE that I just shared his age) enjoyed these pizza rounds just as much as my seven-year-old nephew. “How can you go wrong with cheese and bread?” My mother would say. You can’t.

We enjoyed these pizza rounds on the back deck of my sister’s home. Just a week before giving birth, Susanne had hoisted 2 x 4s up, attached them to the side of the house, and hung long sheets of canvas to shade the deck from the sun. As we enjoyed our food–fragrant with the seasonings of Italy–and shared a bottle of wine under the muslin covering, I felt transported. With the mountains in the background, I couldn’t deny we were in Colorado, but instead felt like we had traveled to a higher, fuller version of this land I love.

Why my sister didn’t just buy a lovely umbrella like the ones offered by Westminster, I don’t entirely know. But I’ve heard things like this happen when you’re pregnant. Nesting is what they call it. However, my unpregnant self will hopefully create my own backyard oasis in the weeks to come. Not only does Westminster offer lovely umbrellas, but Hartman has an Amalfi Sahara bistro set that reminds me of Paris. A quaint table, a big umbrella, a glass of wine, and a plate of pizza rounds will offer me my own little oasis at home.

I hope you make these pizza rounds soon. Everyone will love them. And you can adapt them in so many different ways. Goat cheese. Caramelized onions. Hummus. Olive oil and a few shavings of the best Parmesan cheese. They are meant to be enjoyed, shared, and changed. Much like the very best things in life.

Pizza Rounds

1 pound of raw pizza dough
1 cup of freshly shredded mozzarella
1 pint of grape tomatoes
Olive oil for drizzling
Sea Salt
Fresh basil

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Break off half-dollar size pieces of dough and stretch into a round. Place of parchment paper and allow to rise for about 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, chop tomatoes and place in small bowl. Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

4. Stretch the risen pieces of dough and place a tablespoon of the tomato mixture on the pizza round. Sprinkle with freshly shredded mozzarella.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is golden. Remove pizzas from oven and sprinkle chopped basil on top of rounds.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

37 thoughts on “Pizza Rounds”

  2. Becky

    Love your pizza rounds, individual mini pizzas, how cute. these would be great party appetizers! Sounds kike you are enjoying your stay immensely. Maybe you and Ryan will move back one day! Pinning these!

  3. Mary

    I love mini pizzas! They are so much more fun than their full size counterparts. Enjoy every minute of your stay with your sister. Your vacation sounds lovely!

  5. The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time

    This is my absolute favorite kind of pizza. I love having it in little bite-sized bits too, though I don’t think it would keep me from eating too many of them! I hope you have a safe trip back home. I know being with your sister and niece is awesome, but isn’t it phenomenal to know the bear hug that’s waiting for you when you get off the plane? 🙂

  8. Annie

    I could also eat pizza every day and never grow tired of it. Sounds like a lovely time! Love these mini pizza rounds!

  9. Patty

    I would say that these mini pizza rounds might be the perfect way to enjoy pizza, certainly a very creative way to serve it;-)
    I could use a few days of fresh mountain air, sounds like a wonderful time Monet;-)

  11. Sanjeeta KK

    Oh..how cute, those mini plump Pizzas look wonderful. Incidently my recent post is also on Pizzas. Might try this mini pizza next time..kids will love it.

  12. Joanne

    I really think it is something about being 25 because when I see babies lately, I just want to grab my boyfriend and say let’s get this DONE. (Don’t tell him that. :P)

    I love these little pizza rounds! The perfect snack!

  15. Beth

    I’m so glad you’re enjoying your time in Colorado. I thought of your parents when I was atop Pikes Peak, and how grateful they must have been to have their house spared. I love how blogging makes the world a little smaller!

  17. grace

    it’s true–bread and cheese in any combination will always be tasty and comforting. these are cute and a great idea–i’m always a fan of personalize-able foods. 🙂

  20. Jacqueline @How to be a Gourmand

    I like how your pizza rounds are manageable sizes. Love the flavour combo of basil, garlic, moz. cheese and tomato but would also love caramelised onion with goats cheese. It’s not yet supper time and I am already hungry – all thanks to you Monet 🙂

  24. Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet)

    Love those moments of feeling transported! Nothing better than feeling peace and happiness so deep that you just want to freeze it in time forever…wine and pizza just add to the happiness. Hoping we can tag up once our summer travels are over…we’ve been all over the place since our last meeting!!

  25. Lori

    These look so delicious! I love anything in mini form and we have plenty of cherry tomatoes around to use for these. Simple flavors on pizza are my very favorite.

  28. Eileen

    Delicious! Makes me want to buzz out into the kitchen and whip some of these little beauties up 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe. Have a great week Monet!

  29. Sammie

    ooohh! I’m definitely drooling over these!! Yes you’re right!! Pizzas are delicious! Can’t go wrong with cheese and bread. I love that you use such simple ingredients too!! Homemade pizzas are the best! oh gosh.. I can almost smell them now… yummy!

  32. reverse cell phone lookup

    Nice post. I discοver sοmеthing much harԁer on dіffeгent οnline
    ρаges eνeryday. Ιt wіll always be
    stimulating to reaԁ content using their coгporation writerѕ and prасticе a tiny something out of
    their website. І’d opt to try sοme wіth thе contеnt on mу οwn blog whеther you don’t mіnd.

    Νatually I’ll prοviԁе you a link on your wеb
    ωeblog. Thank you fοr sharing.

    2. free criminal background check

      Hello I wish to to talk about a remark right here concerning someone to definitely
      manage to let you know how much i actually Liked this
      particular read. I have to run off in order to aTurkey Day
      time Supper in spite of this wanted to leave ya
      a easy remark. We saved a individual So will end up being coming back subsequent work to see much more of yer quality posts.
      Keep up that the standard work.

  35. Pingback: Personal Injury

Comments are closed.