Feta Pizza

I saw what looked like a Mediterranean pizza on TV the other day, which looked ah-mazing! This lead me to thinking about how I could make my own... Feta... Chicken... Olives... Annnndddd GO!

3cups bread flour

1 packet dry active yeast

1 cup warm water

2Tbsp olive oil, plus half a cup

1 1/2tsp salt

1/2tsp sugar

2cups feta crumbles

1cup pitted Kalamata olives

2Tbsp fresh basil, chiffonaded

1/2 red onion, quartered and sliced 1/4in thick

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled then cubed

1 head garlic, roasted, plus 3 raw minced

1cup sliced or shredded mozzarella

The Dough:

Combine the yeast, sugar, water, and 1/2 a cup of the flour in a large bowl, then set aside for 20-30 minutes. The mixture will bubble and foam as the yeast feasts! Add in the 2Tbsp olive oil, the salt, and remaining flour, and combine until the dough comes together, adding more water or flour, depending on how sticky the dough is. It should be slightly sticky, yet soft and smooth. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and kneed for 5-10 minutes. Place in a large oiled bowl, cover with a moist kitchen towel or paper towels, and set aside in a warm place for 2-3 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size. Punch the dough back down some, and cut in two if you want to pizzas, or leave whole for one very large one. Place it in an air tight bag and chill overnight. Allow the dough to come to room temperature when you're ready to use it.

The Pizza:

First roast the garlic. Slice off the top portion of the head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, then wrap in a foil purse. Bake at 350f for 30-45 minutes, or until softened.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste, then grill until just before fully cooked. While the 

chicken cools, quarter half a red onion, then slice into 1/4 inch thick slices. Assuming you're using jarred olives, drain and rinse, then slice them in half. Chiffonade the basil, and roughly chop. If you're using a block of mozzarella, slice off 1/8-1/4 inch thick, and 2x2in slices.

Stretch out the dough a bit, then toss (more fun, and entertaining for the kids!) or roll out to the desired shape and thickness. Place the dough on a baking sheet sprinkled with corn meal. Remove the garlic from the wrapper, then smush on a cutting board, then spread onto the dough(s). Sprinkle some of the feta onto the dough, then the cubed chicken, then the olives, then onions, a bit more feta, and finish with the mozzarella. Bake at 450f until the crust is golden brown, or longer if preferred. While it cooks, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-low heat, and add in the 3 minced garlic cloves and heat for 3-5 minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic.

Remove the pizza from the oven. Brush the exposed crust with the garlic oil, and sprinkle the basil over the toppings. Allow the pie to cool for a few minutes, then cut, serve, and eat! Hope you enjoy!