Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Pesto Pizza

Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Pesto Pizza | Homemade Pizza Recipe | Summer Dinner Inspiration | Farmer's Market Recipe

If visits from my parents were not enough on their own, they always come bearing gifts from their garden. On their most recent visit I was spoiled with fresh raspberries (my favorite!), salsa, apples, plums, and heirloom tomatoes. The fruit was gone in an instant and I was left to ponder how to best use the tomatoes. Most people would just pop them in their mouths and a delicious snack, but I was itching to try a new recipe. Therefore, I decided to whip up this heirloom tomato and zucchini pesto pizza with other ingredients I picked up for the farmer’s market.

Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Pesto Pizza | Homemade Pizza Recipe | Summer Dinner Inspiration | Farmer's Market Recipe

Ian has been dabbling with making homemade bread and pizza dough, but he was out of town when I attempted this recipe so I kept things simple and bought pre-made dough. After a few failed attempts at shaping the dough by tossing it in the air, I resorted to using a rolling pin. Thankfully, shaping the pizza dough was the toughest part of the entire recipe and everything else ran smoothly!

Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Pesto Pizza | Homemade Pizza Recipe | Summer Dinner Inspiration | Farmer's Market Recipe

Thirty minutes later, I pulled out the pizza, drizzled it with balsamic glaze and savored every bite. The best part about making a flatbread pizza is the flexibility to use what ever fresh produce you have on hand. If you are throwing an outdoor BBQ you could take the recipe up a level and try grilling the pizza!

Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Pesto Pizza

Ingredients:

  • Pre-made Pizza dough, divided in half
  • 1/4 C. Pesto
  • 1/2 C. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • Sliced Zucchini
  • Sliced Heirloom Tomatoes
  • Balsamic Glaze

Directions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350˚
  • Lightly flour a surface and roll out dough
  • Place the dough on a baking sheet and top with pesto, cheese, zucchini and heirloom tomatoes
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is golden
  • Remove from the oven and drizzle with balsamic glaze
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Homemade Bread

Homemade Bread

Maybe it’s due to all my bread fails in the past, but when I crack open the oven door and peak in at my golden loaf, I feel giddy. In the past, I avoided bread out of intimidation, but after binge watching episodes of The Great British Bakeoff I was encouraged to roll up my sleeves and give it another try.

 Homemade Bread

While other recipes can seem daunting, this simple white loaf is easy to follow and perfect for those who are new to baking bread! After a bit of patience, you will have a warm loaf of bread ready to be topped with honey butter and savored.

Homemade Bread

Looking for something a little sweeter? This basic bread recipe can be used to make cinnamon rolls!

Homemade Bread

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 Tbs yeast
  • 1/2 Tbs sugar
  • 1/2 C warm water
  • 5 C flour
  • 1/4 C sugar
  • 1/2 Tbs salt
  • 1.5 C warm water
  • 1/4 C oil

Directions:

  • Mix together the first three ingredients and set aside for 15 minutes until it doubles in size
  • Combine the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, then slowly incorporate the water, oil and yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
  • Cover the dough and set aside in a warm area for 30 minutes
  • Knead the dough for 3 minutes, cover, and set aside for 1-2 hours until the dough doubles in size
  • Knead the dough and separate evenly into the two greased loaf tins. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes
  • Preheat the over to 375 degrees
  • Place bread into the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes

Pesto Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas

Pesto Pasta Salad. Perfect summer dish!

When Ian and I got married I decided it was time to start filling our recipe box with tried and true favorites. I love scrolling through Pinterst and trying new recipes, but when I’m in a pinch I flip through our recipe box for a dish I know we will love. Sometimes you are just hungry and don’t want to take the risk of a #PinterestFail.

Pesto Pasta Salad. Perfect summer dish!

This pesto pasta dish was the result of a late night in the office and a nearly empty fridge. Ian and I were starving, so I knew I had to make something quick. I looked around the pantry and I noticed we had a package of quinoa noodles. Alright – now were are getting somewhere! Add the leftover pesto, peas, tomatoes, and turkey sausage lying around in the fridge and dinner was served! We were both surprised that it was A) edible and B) one of our new favorite dishes!

Pesto Pasta Salad. Perfect summer dish!

I guess you never know when you are going to stumble across a new recipe. If you try it out and love it as much as we do add it to your recipe collection!

Pesto Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas

Ingredients:

  • 8oz of your favorite pasta (I used Trader Joe’s brown rice quinoa fusilli pasta)
  • Turkey sausage, sliced
  • 1 C. pesto
  • 1 C. frozen peas
  • 1/2 C. sliced grape tomatoes
  • Feta cheese

Recipe:

  • Boil pasta and add the frozen peas in during the last five minutes
  • While the pasta boils, pan fry the turkey sausage until golden on each side
  • Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl
  • Add the turkey sausage, tomatoes, and pesto
  • Stir until combined
  • Plate and sprinkle with feta cheese