Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Roasted Garlic, Tomato, and Basil Squares

Since the tomatoes are heavy-fat and scarlet-red on the vine, it's only fitting that they take center stage at meal time. Here's a best-tomato worthy recipe that I developed for Cooking Light Magazine in 2006. At that time, they were hunting for reader recipes for their first annual cook off. I submitted a couple of recipes, and was invited to attend the cook off for my Summer Chicken Piccata. Later they asked permission to also run this recipe in the magazine in the May 2006 issue. What an honor-but also a testament to how savory and delicious it is. I trust Cooking Light. So trust CL and me-you'll love it, and with it's healthy profile it will love you right back.
Roasted Garlic, Tomato, and Basil Squares
My Recipe for Cooking Light Magazine May 2006
Estimated Cost: $5.00
Notes: You can double the dough and freeze half for another flat bread. You can make this crust with at least half whole wheat for a heartier and healthier recipe. If you're pressed for time, don't make dough at all. Use purchased pizza dough or even slather the toppings on French bread.

Ingredients
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
3 cups all-purpose flour (about 13 1/2 ounces), divided
1 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
1 whole garlic head
2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
2 cups chopped plum tomato (about 9 ounces)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation: Dissolve yeast and sugar in 1 cup warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 2 3/4 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt to yeast mixture, stirring until well blended. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes); add enough of remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.
Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 400°.
While dough rises, remove white papery skin from garlic head (do not peel or separate the cloves). Wrap head in foil. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes; cool 10 minutes. Separate cloves; squeeze to extract garlic pulp. Discard skins.
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper; sprinkle with cornmeal. Place dough on prepared baking sheet. Roll dough into a 15 x 10-inch rectangle. Lightly coat dough with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned; remove from oven. Combine garlic pulp, tomato, and remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Spread cheese mixture over crust; bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into 12 squares.
Coming Tomorrow:
Barefoot Thursdays
Lemon Feta Spread with Colorful Veggies

30 comments:

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Way to go Prudy having recipes in CL! I don't blame them for wanting to publish this, it looks so good and healthy and italian!

Chibog in Chief said...

oh my goodness, i love everything on top of this flatbread :-) and your photo looks spectacular!! yummy

Beth (jamandcream) said...

This looks great - my kind of food!

Anonymous said...

gosh this looks delicious .. it's 8:00 a.m. and I'm hungry for flatbread. :)

gigi said...

Why you little "Celebrity" you! Tomatoes and yellow squash have to be my most favorite thing about summer eating. This looks so yummy and BTW have you ever been to Georgia? I could use some of this today. Hospital food and eating on the run just isn't getting it! I just want to stay home and cook. Maybe it won't be long now. Blessings on your day.

afekuika- my word varification. Sounds like a bad disease.

Prudy said...

dhanggit:
Thanks so much for your kind words. I wish I could claim credit for this photo, but it is from the staff at CL. My photos are of the mediocre home variety.

Mary Ann said...

awesome! I knew I recognized your name! I am still waiting for my oven to be fixed because I really want to make your rhubarb struesel cake with the leftover rhubarb I picked. This looks soo good too!

Eleganza Strings/ The DeLadurantey Family said...

Your recipes always look so good!

Hannah

Sophie said...

That pizza looks delectable. Great photo too, looks like it belongs in a magazine :D.

I tagged you for a music meme! (It's on my latest blog entry. :)

Michal said...

my garden is chock full of tomatoes and basil (as long as i can stay on top of these dang tomato horned worms--they are hideous and alienlike. you should google it and see what we are dealing with over here.) anyway, the point is that i have all the right ingredients to make this dish at a truly penny pinching price. thanks, prudy!

Anonymous said...

This looks so colorful and delicious! Congrats on having your recipe in Cooking Light!

Anonymous said...

This looks so delicious and right up my alley. I can't wait to give this one a try. And I think it would be another great way to get the kids to eat their veggies!

Maria said...

We have been making homemade pizza a lot lately..it is easy and so tasty with all the fresh veggies this summer! Your recipe looks great.

Jenny said...

I'm with you and CL this looks spectacular girl! Way to go!

Aggie said...

Wow Prudy I'm so impressed! I love Cooking Light (after a short hiatus I'm back on subscription!)...

This is my kinda pizza, flatbread whatever you call it, I want some now!

Have you ever tried making the crust with whole wheat flour?

Anonymous said...

Looks absolutely delicious!

Leslie said...

I love homeade pizza..this looks wonderful! I left an award for you on my site..............I know everyone is busy..so no need to participate..I just wanted to show some love!

Steph said...

Prudy, the pizza looks great! I love making pizza because you get to be control of what you put in it.

Sara said...

You amaze me! Congrats on the award from the CL magazine. That is impressive. This looks so good. I can't wait to try it with tomatoes from my garden.

Amber said...

It looks amazing! Have you tried grilling pizza? If so, do you have any tips?

Deb in Hawaii said...

I just keep finding out how famous you are ! :-) Cooking Light is one of my favorites. The pizza looks great!

Leslie said...

Thanks Prudy on you kind words on my video blog! I soooo wish I looked like one of the famous people!

La Bella Cooks said...

This looks so savory! Now I am hungry.

Anonymous said...

Prudy, I love your blog, I read it religiously! Is there any way you can ask your readers to visit my blog and give me some advice? I would love it!

it is temparoo at blogspot.

Chef Jeena said...

Lovely recipe with juicy vine tomatoes! The crust looks so delicious. :-)

test it comm said...

That looks good!

Anonymous said...

Hello rock star! I am so impressed that you are this super cool published cook...I feel special by association! I just added the ingredients for this and the chicken to my shopping list!

Jaime said...

wow, i know someone famous! :) i love CL recipes and this one looks like a winner

Naté said...

After picking up some fresh basil at the farmer's market, I made this for my roommates and they loved it. They suggested that next time we try adding some artichoke hearts or even roasted chicken. Thanks for another wonderful recipe, Prudy!

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