Love Pizza? This Garden Fresh Pizza Recipe Will Tickle Those Italian Taste Buds {RECIPE}

Everyone Monday we share a Kentucky Cookin' recipe from a guest in the community.  Katie Alexander from the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office is bringing a taste of Italy.

CONSIDERING COST

When the ladies from the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office visit us they always bring a recipe that is cost-effective and affordable for families.  They always consider what you have in your kitchen and try to make it easy and accessible.  These recipes are something most kids will like and they won't break the bank.

GARDEN FRESH TOMATO PIZZA

• 2 large or 3 medium tomatoes,
sliced into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices
and halved
• Salt
• 1 (6.5-ounce) package of pizza crust mix
• 2/3 cup low-fat ricotta cheese or
low-fat, low-sodium cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons dried basil or
1/3 cup fresh, chopped
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
and separated into rings
• Black pepper
• Balsamic vinegar (optional)
1. Wash hands with warm water and soap, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
2. Gently scrub the tomatoes and red onion with a clean vegetable brush under cool running water before preparing them.
3. preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
4. Place a layer of paper towels on a baking sheet or tray and arrange tomato slices on top. Sprinkle with salt. Cover tomatoes with a layer of paper towels. Set aside
to allow juices to draw out.

5. Prepare crust according to package directions. Set aside to rise.
6. In a small bowl, mix ricotta (or cottage) cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, and dried basil. (If using fresh basil, refer to step 10.) Set aside.
7. Prepare a pizza pan (or baking sheet) by spraying with nonstick cooking spray. Pat out the pizza crust to cover the bottom of the pan. Brush crust with olive oil. Place in
the oven and bake for 8 minutes.
8. Remove crust from oven. Spread the cheese mixture in a thin layer on top
of the crust. Add onion and tomatoes in layers on top of the pizza crust.
Sprinkle with black pepper.
9. Return to oven and bake an additional 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
10. If using fresh basil, sprinkle on top after the pizza bakes. Drizzle with
balsamic vinegar if desired.
11. Allow the pizza to rest for 5 minutes. Cut pizza into 6 slices. Serve hot.
12. Store leftovers in the refrigerator within 2 hours.

Makes 6 servings
Serving size: 1 slice
Cost per recipe: $9.68
Cost per serving: $1.61