Peperonata & Sausage Pizza Recipe

A melding of sautéed onions, bell peppers and tomatoes, peperonata is often served as an Italian antipasto. Shown here courtesy of www.eatingwell.com

• Meal Type: Entree
• Ethnicity: Italian
• Holiday Category: N/A
• Preparation Time: Over 1 hour, less than 1 day

Ingredients

• Cornmeal for dusting
• 12 ounces Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough (page 147) or other prepared dough
• 1 link Italian turkey sausage (4 ounces), casing removed
• Peperonata
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 cup slivered onion (1 medium)
• 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper (1/2 large)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 3/4 cup diced tomato (1 medium)
• 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack ; preheat oven to 500°F or highest setting. Coat a 12 1/2-inch pizza pan with cooking spray and dust with cornmeal.
2. Prepare Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough, if using.
3. Cook sausage in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning from time to time, until browned and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
4. Meanwhile, prepare peperonata: Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring often, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomato and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in vinegar, salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 13-inch circle. Transfer to the prepared pan. Turn edges under to make a slight rim. Brush the rim with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella over the crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with the peperonata and sausage. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
7. Place the pizza pan on the heated pizza stone (or baking sheet) and bake the pizza until the bottom is crisp and golden, 10 to 14 minutes. Serve immediately.