Rustic Pesto and Cherry Tomato Pizza

The rustic pesto and cherry tomato pizza is a delicious twist on the more traditional pizza, combining the fresh flavor of Genovese pesto with the sweetness of cherry tomatoes. Here is a simple recipe to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 500 g of pizza dough (you can use a pre-made base or make the dough yourself)
• 200 g of Genovese pesto
• 250 g of cherry tomatoes
• 200 g of pizza mozzarella (or fiordilatte)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Preparation

1. If you make the dough at home, start by mixing 500 g of flour with 300 ml of warm water, a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of sugar, and a cube of fresh brewer’s yeast or a packet if dry. Knead until you have a smooth and homogeneous mixture, then let it rise covered in a warm place until it doubles in volume.
2. In the meantime, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Drain the mozzarella from its liquid and cut it into cubes or slices.
3. Roll out the pizza dough into an even layer on a previously oiled baking tray; the ideal thickness is about 5 mm.
4. Spread the pesto on the pizza dough, leaving a border of about 1 cm.
5. Evenly distribute the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella over the surface.
6. Season with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt.
7. Bake the rustic pizza in a preheated oven at 220 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden and the cheese has a slight golden crust.
8. Take the rustic pizza out of the oven and, if you like, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Curiosity

The pesto pizza is a flavorful and colorful variation with its roots in Liguria, the birthplace of pesto. The pesto, a cold sauce that does not require cooking, maintains its aroma and freshness even after being briefly heated in the oven on the pizza, creating a mix of Mediterranean flavors that is a true invitation to summer in each bite.