Food.Fun.Stuff: Grilling Pizza This Summer

When you think of pizza, do you think of grilling it?? Ohh the endless ways to good food, specifically here, pizza. We were able to call on the good folks of HomeMade Pizza Company to give us the low down on how to grill a pizza. The HomeMade Pizza Company is known for their fresh toppings and bake it yourself pizza's that has essentially set a new standard in the pizza world. Check out what they offered up to JKGF on grilling pizza:

At HomeMade, they are devoted to parchment paper for the crispest finish, so they have included it here to show you how to get the best crunch. You can pick up a Minden pizza stone at any HomeMade location starting now.

Gas Grill

Place a grill-top pizza stone in the center of the grill and preheat over high heat for 10-15 minutes.

Since the pizza will bake on the parchment paper, parchment must not extend over the edge of the stone. If it does, trim the parchment to size before grilling.

Slide the pizza and parchment paper off of the cardboard round and onto the stone. Turn to medium heat (ideal cooking temp is about 400 degrees) and immediately cover the grill. Grill until the cheese has melted and the crust is lightly browned, anywhere from 6 to 12 minutes (grilling times will vary widely so keep an eye on your pie!). Using the cardboard round or a pizza peel, carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board and let cool for 3 minutes. Cut into slices, serve and enjoy!

Charcoal Grill

Place a grill-top pizza stone in the center of the grill and preheat over hot coals for 10-15 minutes.

Since the pizza will bake on the parchment paper, parchment must not extend over the edge of the stone. If it does, trim the parchment to size before grilling.

Carefully remove heated grill stone and arrange coals in an indirect heating manner. Replace grill stone and slide the pizza and parchment paper off of the cardboard round and onto the stone. Cover the grill, but check periodically. Bake until the cheese has melted and the crust is lightly browned, anywhere from 6 to 12 minutes (grilling times will vary widely, so keep an eye on your pie!). Using the cardboard round or a pizza peel, carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board and let cool for 3 minutes. Cut into slices, serve and enjoy!

This summer, HomeMade introduced the "2009 Summertime Special at HomeMade" which was created with grilling in mind and includes the tastiest toppings: Sweet & Spicy Chicken, Poblano Peppers, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Grape Tomatoes and Fresh Pineapple. Rumor has it, the pizza tastes like it's been grilled even when it's been baked in the oven. Matt Weinstein, the co-owner of HomeMade Pizza Co. encourages tasters to try these other grilled combinations:

· Vidalia onions, goat cheese, fresh basil and pepperoni (amazing on whole wheat crust)
· Caramelized onions, poblano peppers, blue cheese, bacon and cilantro
· Chicken sausage, Poblanos, roasted red peppers and feta
· Tomato, basil, Vidalias, aged Parmesan and roasted garlic
· Spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, crispy pancetta, red onions and green peppers, dusted with red pepper flakes -- Also known as “The Don,” a meat-lover’s special

*From now until the end of the summer, pizza-on-the-grill instructions can be found @ www.homemadepizza.com and Minden pizza grill stones are available at all HomeMade Pizza locations.

Picture source: http://www.homemadepizza.com/menu.php