Feta Cheese and Olive pizza

Tonight's Menu

Feta cheese and Olive Pizza

Salad greens

Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling

Feta and Olive pizza

Pizza, one of the most popular foods among adults and kids alike has gone through big changes in its toppings and crust. Pizzerias are experimenting with exotic toppings and different cheese varieties to create a signature dish. In our family the Greek inspired feta and olive pizza is a fave and though we don't make it very often, its a special night when we have it.We pair it with soup or a green salad depending on the weather. I make my own whole wheat crust and pizza sauce, but you can use store bought or make your own.

Toppings for one 8 inch pizza

Pizza Toppings
These are all the toppings I used tonight. The quantities are for one 8 inch pizza and they include
1 Chicken Breast cooked and seasoned
feta cheese
Aged sharp cheddar cheese
red pepper
green pepper
jalapeno pepper
red onions
cremini mushrooms
black olives
3-4 tbsp pizza sauce
Pizza Sauce
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/2 small red onion chopped
3 large tomatoes pureed
1/2 tsp oregano
salt to taste
1/2 tsp sugar
crushed red pepper flakes

1. In a pan heat 1 tsp olive oil and add chopped red onion and garlic.
2. Cook till they turn pink. 
3. Add crushed tomato along with seasoning and bring to boil. 
4. Simmer for 5 minutes.

All dressed and ready for the oven

Whole wheat pizza crust dough 

Ingredients: (Makes two 8 inch pizzas)
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or regular flour)
11/4 cup warm water (1 cup for regular flour)
1 tbsp yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dry herbs(oregano and parsley)

1. Take flour in a mixing bowl and add all the dry ingredients to it. 
2. Knead into a pliable soft dough using warm water. 
3. Knead well for 2-3 minutes. Put the dough in a greased bowl and cover. 
4. Leave in a warm place for 2 hours to allow the dough to rise. 
5. If using store bought dough make sure its at room temperature before rolling. 
6. Preheat the oven to 425 F. 
7. When the dough has doubled in size and risen well divide into two balls. Roll the ball into an 8 inch round on a generously floured surface to prevent it from sticking to the base. Using your fingers raise the edges of the crust a little to help keep the toppings and sauce in place. 
8. On a pizza stone (or a non stick cookie sheet) sprinkle a tsp of cornmeal. Place the rolled crust onto the stone and dress the pizza in the following order. 
9. Spray a little oil to prevent it from getting soggy with the sauce. 

Assembling the pizza. Place the ingredients in the following order on the prepared crust

Pizza sauce
Cheddar cheese grated
Cooked chicken pieces
Crumbled feta cheese
All the veges and olives on top.

1. Place the Pizza in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes till the edges of the crust brown and crust is fully cooked. Cooking time may be a little less for regular flour crust. 
2. Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing and serving. 
3. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and oregano on top for enhanced flavor.