 
 Recipe
   Delight in this sophisticated pizza featuring a vibrant homemade pesto sauce, generously spread over a crispy crust and topped with a harmonious blend of savory provolone cheese, roasted red peppers, black olives, and artichoke hearts. Baked to perfection, this culinary masterpiece is sure to impress even the most discerning palates.
| 2 | fresh basil leaves | 
|---|---|
| 1⁄4 | cup pine nuts | 
| 1 | medium fresh garlic clove | 
| 1⁄8 | cup fresh grated parmesan cheese (the good stuff!) | 
| 1⁄4 | cup olive oil | 
| • | salt to taste | 
| 1⁄2 | cup baby portabella mushrooms, sliced | 
| 8 | ounces sliced provolone cheese (or mozzarella) | 
| 3 | roasted red peppers, cut in strips (or fresh, see NOTE) | 
| 1⁄8 | cup sliced black olives | 
| 1⁄2 | cup quartered artichoke heart, cut into chunks | 
| 1 | prepared pizza crust (homemade, or purchased) | 
| For preparing the pizza | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Preheat the oven to 425º. | 
| 2. | Prepare the pesto sauce by combining fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and fresh grated parmesan cheese in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. | 
| 3. | Slowly drizzle olive oil into the blender or processor while blending, until a thick sauce forms. | 
| 4. | Season the sauce to taste with salt. Omit if not necessary. | 
| 5. | Set the pesto sauce aside. | 
| 6. | In a skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil and sauté the sliced baby portabella mushrooms for a few minutes to enhance their flavor. If using fresh red bell pepper, add it to the skillet with the mushrooms. Allow to cool slightly. | 
| 7. | Spread the prepared pesto sauce evenly over the pizza crust. | 
| 8. | Evenly distribute the provolone cheese, roasted red peppers, black olives, and artichoke hearts over the pesto. | 
| 9. | Sprinkle with additional grated parmesan cheese, if desired. | 
| 10. | Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. | 
The following values are based on a single serving of this recipe.
| Calories | 413.3 kcal | 
| Protein | 18.5 g | 
| Fat | 36 g | 
| Carbohydrates | 6.4 g | 
| Fiber | 2.8 g | 
| Sugar | 1.2 g | 
Published on Aug 15, 2024 by Luminița