Two Pizzas with Kale, Garlic, and Oven Roasted Tomatoes

by Kurt Flehinger

This dish looks more complicated than it is. It’s really quick and pretty easy. And you can have your own little pizza party at home!

Ingredients

Two 12-inch pizza doughs, homemade or store-bought (optional recipe follows)

2 cups Mozzarella 

1 pint cherry tomatoes 

4 cups finely chopped Kale

5-6 sprigs fresh thyme

4 cloves of garlic, one clove chopped, three cloves sliced

4 T Olive Oil

Pinch of red pepper flakes

Salt/Pepper to taste

Step 1. 

Shape pizza dough into 2 12-inch rounds (see below for optional homemade pizza dough).

Step 2.

For the Tomato Pizza:

To roast tomatoes, preheat the oven to 250. Slice tomatoes in half. Toss sliced tomatoes along with thyme sprigs in 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Spread mixture on a baking sheet and roast and 60-75 minutes until lightly caramelized. Remove from oven. Set aside to let the tomatoes cool. 

Step 3.

Raise oven temperature to 500 degrees.

Step 4. 

While tomatoes are roasting, spread mozzarella on pizza dough. Spread tomato mixture evenly over one 12-inch pizza dough. Evenly sprinkle the 1 clove of chopped garlic over the prepared pizza.

For the Kale Pizza:

Step 5.

Wash and dry 4 cups of chopped kale. Set aside in a large bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Massage the kale leaves with fingers until the kale leaves are saturated with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Step 6.

Spread mozzarella on the remaining 12-inch pizza dough. Lay the three sliced garlic cloves evenly across the pizza dough. Sprinkle the pinch of red pepper flakes across the pie. 

Step 7.

Place both pizzas in the oven. 

Step 8.

After 3-4 minutes, remove the dough prepared for the kale, spread the chopped kale over the pizza, and return to the oven. Be careful to close the oven door while working to keep the oven as hot as possible. 

Step 9.

Bake pizzas until the dough is golden brown and the kale is lightly charred, about ten minutes, depending on oven heat. Serve immediately. 

Optional pizza dough

You can buy pizza dough at many markets. Or you can try this one at home.

Ingredients:

3.5 t dry yeast

1 cup warm water (approx. 110 degrees)

3.5-4.5 cups bread flour (depending on humidity)

2 T olive oil

1 t salt

1 t sugar

Step 1.

In a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer add yeast, warm water, and 2 1/4 cups flour. Mix for one minute until thoroughly blended. Add salt, sugar, olive oil, and approx. 1.5 flour (kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic, about five minutes). 

Step 2.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Clover with a towel and allow to rise for about an hour until volume is doubled. Flour a cutting board. After the dough rises, punch the dough down with a fist, turn out onto the board, and divide the dough into two balls. Cover again to rest for 20 minutes. Press out into a pizza pan or free form. Proceed with pizza recipes.

Helpful tips: Massaging the kale leaves with olive makes all the difference!