So we all know how comforting and satisfying a slice or two of pizza can be – whether Chicago Style Pizza, NYC Style Pizza, rustic pizza, local pizza, or plain old Domino’s or Pizza Hut. (I actually have a very strange affinity for cold, leftover Domino’s pepperoni pizza for breakfast 🤮 – I know, it’s gross – or, sausage, mushroom, black olive – even grosser). ANYWAY, fresh, homemade pizza is SO much better and SO much better for you.
So, as you navigate the rich flavors of the holiday season over these few months, take a breather, and treat yourself to something different – something special: a Homemade Sweet Spicy Smoky Flatbread Pizza.
You’ll wonder why you haven’t done this sooner.
The secret is really in the SAUCE. Truly. It’s sweet and spicy, with both honey and chili pepper (two types) and all is balanced with the salty greatness of thickly grated mozzarella and an easy homemade crust.
Do it! DO IT TONIGHT! 🍕
Sweet Spicy Smoky Flatbread Pizza
Basic Pizza Dough:**
1 pkg. active dry yeast (1/4 oz)
1 tsp. white sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 tsp. sea salt
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1 cup warm water and let sit for 5 minutes.
Using a dough hook on a stand mixer (or by hand) combine the dissolved yeast mixture, flour, 2 Tbs. olive oil, and salt. Form into a nice dough ball. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Divide the ball into 2 smaller pieces and roughly form into a pizza form. Rustic forms are best, in my opinion. Flour your hands to prevent sticking. You can try tossing, rolling, stretching…whatever your heart desires.
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and drizzle with oil.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until the top starts to brown.
Remove from oven.
Sweet Spicy Smoky Sauce (The Secret is in the SAUCE):
1-2 Tbs. butter
1 lb. ripe cherry tomatoes
2 Tbs. sweet honey balsamic vinegar
sea salt and pepper
1 small serrano pepper, seeded and finely diced
2 tsp. Kashmiri chili powder
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
2 Tbs. “cream of the crop” honey
1 large chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
1/8 tsp. Kashmiri Chili powder
1 Tbs. honey
1 cup mozzarella cheese, thickly grated
While preparing the crust, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the small tomatoes and cook until beginning to break down. Season with salt and pepper and add the vinegar. Cover and cook on low, stirring and breaking apart the tomatoes every 3-5 minutes or so – you’re at a simmer, at this point.
Sprinkle in the serrano and chili powder, as well as the smoked paprika. Cook and cover again still stirring often over low heat, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce begins to thicken. Drizzle in the honey and cook on low for another 5 minutes, or so.
Set aside and let cool.
While all this is happening, season the chicken breast, cover in a baking dish with foil, and bake for about 25 minutes at the 450 degree preheated oven.
Remove from heat, drizzle in honey, and shred between two forks.
Assemble the pizza, layering cheese, the spicy sauce, chicken, and drizzling any extra desired honey to “cool” the palate, if desired. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or so, until the cheese is bubbling, before removing from the oven and serving and EATING until your heart is content – it make take A LOT – as this sweet and spicy pizza is truly THE BOMB of all homemade pizzas! Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.
