Pizza for Busy People at Holiday Time

By Lori Powell
For One or Two Bites, a blog for singles and couples

I’m still a bit under the weather and bit over my recent soup and hot tea diet. What I am craving these days is a bit of crunch from a crispy baked pizza crust, topped with some gooey cheese and good vegetables.

Since it is now 7p.m. and I’m still at work, chances are I will not want to whip up my own dough. But as luck would have it I know that I have some naan flatbread lurking in my pantry that will do just the trick.

With the holidays just around the corner, keep this recipe in your entertaining arsenal to make for unexpected guests as a little nibble to enjoy with wine and cheese. Simply cut the pizza into little squares.

Always to remember to employ your pantry, and keep the flavors and toppings simple.

To get the recipe and shopping list on your smartphone (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android device) or PC, click here.

Caramelized Leek, Sausage and Goat Cheese Pizza
Serves 1 or 2

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 cups sliced leeks (white and pale green part) or sweet onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 naan flatbread or other flatbread
1 small link pre-cooked chopped organic Cajun style andouille or sun-dried tomato sausage (such as Bruce Aidells brand)
1-1/2 ounces crumbled goat or fontina cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium skillet over moderately high heat and cook leeks, stirring, until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Remove pan from heat.
2. Top flatbread with leek mixture, sausage, and cheese, and bake in lower third of oven until bottom is golden brown and crispy and cheese is melted, about 12 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve with salad on the side for dinner, or cut into small squares for and appetizers.

Other Pizza Toppers:

• For Italian style, top with pesto, mozzarella cheese and sliced tomato.
• Try white pizza with ricotta, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese and cooked broccoli.
• For caprese style, top with mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers, basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
• Go Greek with cooked shrimp, marinara sauce and feta cheese.
• Top with chopped cooked chicken, BBQ sauce, cilantro and red onion for a Southwestern flair.
• Step it up and bit and dress up the pizza with sliced prosciutto, sliced pear, fig jam, ricotta or goat cheese, and a light drizzle of truffle oil.
• For meatball Parmigiana pizza, top with sliced cooked meatballs, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and basil.

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