Best 2 Cilantro Pesto Pizza Recipes

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Cilantro pesto pizza is a delightful fusion of zesty herbs, creamy cheese, and crispy crust. This vibrant dish offers a unique flavor profile that is both refreshing and satisfying. The combination of cilantro, basil, garlic, and pine nuts creates a flavorful pesto that perfectly complements the melted cheese and crispy crust. Whether you're a seasoned pizza aficionado or simply seeking a new culinary adventure, this cilantro pesto pizza recipe is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

GRILLED SHRIMP AND CILANTRO PESTO PIZZA



Grilled Shrimp and Cilantro Pesto Pizza image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
3/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
1 3/4 to 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading and dredging
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon for greasing the bowl
Cilantro Pesto, recipe follows
8 ounces buffalo mozzarella, thinly sliced
Grilled Shrimp, recipe follows
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Whisk together the yeast and 1/4 cup of the water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes to proof. Place 1 3/4 cups of the flour in a large bowl with the salt. Add the yeast mixture, the remaining water, and oil and stir until combined. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Grease a large bowl with the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil, add the dough, and turn to coat. Cover and place in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Preheat the grill to high. Once the dough has risen, divide it in half. Divide each half into 2 balls. Roll each ball into an 8-inch circle. Brush with oil and grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread a few tablespoons of the Cilantro Pesto over each pizza, top with a few slices of buffalo mozzarella, and then top with 4 shrimp and cilantro leaves. Place the pizza on the grill until the cheese melts. Serve hot.
  • Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.;
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high.
  • Brush each shrimp with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through (shrimp will be opaque and turn pink).

TEQUILA-MARINATED SHRIMP PIZZA WITH CHORIZO, ONIONS, BELL PEPPERS, AND CILANTRO PESTO



Tequila-Marinated Shrimp Pizza with Chorizo, Onions, Bell Peppers, and Cilantro Pesto image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h43m

Yield 1 large pizza

Number Of Ingredients 60

3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 to 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
20 medium raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut in half lengthwise
1/2 cup tequila (recommended: Cabo Wabo)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves, plus extra for garnish
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Cornmeal, for dusting peel
8 ounces Mexican chorizo, chopped
Cilantro Pesto, recipe follows
11/2 cups grated Monterey jack cheese
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into long strips
1/2 medium white onion, cut into rings
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Chopped green onions, garnish
3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 to 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
20 medium raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut in half lengthwise
1/2 cup tequila (recommended: Cabo Wabo)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves, plus extra for garnish
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Cornmeal, for dusting peel
8 ounces Mexican chorizo, chopped
Cilantro Pesto, recipe follows
11/2 cups grated Monterey jack cheese
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into long strips
1/2 medium white onion, cut into rings
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Chopped green onions, garnish
2 cups tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup grated cotija, queso fresco, or Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup grated cotija, queso fresco, or Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of the flour, salt, and 2 teaspoons of the oil, stirring with a heavy wooden spoon to incorporate. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and pliable, yet slightly sticky, 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed 2 teaspoons at a time to prevent from sticking to the board.
  • Lightly oil a large mixing bowl with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft-free place. Allow the dough to rise until nearly double in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • At least 45 minutes before baking pizza, put a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
  • While the dough is rising, marinate the shrimp. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, tequila, lime juice, crushed garlic, cilantro, lime zest, pepper flakes, kosher salt, and cumin. Let marinate for no more than 1 hour. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and pat dry.
  • In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered and almost completely cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let cool.
  • On a lightly floured surface turn out the dough and lightly work into a large flat disk. Let rest for 10 minutes. Pat and stretch out the dough to a 12-inch round, turning and lifting to make about 1/8-inch thick.
  • Dust a baker's peel or bottom of a baking sheet with the cornmeal. Carefully transfer the dough onto the peel and reshape as necessary without pressing down hard (so the dough will come away easily). Working quickly, spread cilantro pesto across the dough to cover, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top, then arrange the shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and cooked sausage over the top. Dot the pizza with the goat cheese.
  • Line up the peel over the baking stone and slide to release the pizza. (Alternately, bake on the baking sheet.) Bake until the dough is crisp and golden brown and the cheeses are melted and bubbly, about 8 minutes. Transfer with the peel to a large cutting board. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions, to taste. Cut into slices, and if desired, drizzle with additional pesto sauce.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of the flour, salt, and 2 teaspoons of the oil, stirring with a heavy wooden spoon to incorporate. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and pliable, yet slightly sticky, 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed 2 teaspoons at a time to prevent from sticking to the board.
  • Lightly oil a large mixing bowl with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft-free place. Allow the dough to rise until nearly double in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • At least 45 minutes before baking pizza, put a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
  • While the dough is rising, marinate the shrimp. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, tequila, lime juice, crushed garlic, cilantro, lime zest, pepper flakes, kosher salt, and cumin. Let marinate for no more than 1 hour. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and pat dry.
  • In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered and almost completely cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let cool.
  • On a lightly floured surface turn out the dough and lightly work into a large flat disk. Let rest for 10 minutes. Pat and stretch out the dough to a 12-inch round, turning and lifting to make about 1/8-inch thick.
  • Dust a baker's peel or bottom of a baking sheet with the cornmeal. Carefully transfer the dough onto the peel and reshape as necessary without pressing down hard (so the dough will come away easily). Working quickly, spread cilantro pesto across the dough to cover, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top, then arrange the shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and cooked sausage over the top. Dot the pizza with the goat cheese.
  • Line up the peel over the baking stone and slide to release the pizza. (Alternately, bake on the baking sheet.) Bake until the dough is crisp and golden brown and the cheeses are melted and bubbly, about 8 minutes. Transfer with the peel to a large cutting board. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions, to taste. Cut into slices, and if desired, drizzle with additional pesto sauce.
  • In a food processor or blender, combine the cilantro, pine nuts, and garlic, and puree on high speed. Add the cheese, pepper and salt, and process to combine. Scrape the sides of the processor, and with the machine running, add the olive oil. Blend until well combined.
  • In a food processor or blender, combine the cilantro, pine nuts, and garlic, and puree on high speed. Add the cheese, pepper and salt, and process to combine. Scrape the sides of the processor, and with the machine running, add the olive oil. Blend until well combined.

Tips for Making Cilantro Pesto Pizza:

  • Use fresh cilantro: Fresh cilantro has a more vibrant flavor than dried cilantro, so it's best to use it whenever possible.
  • Make the pesto ahead of time: Cilantro pesto can be made up to 3 days in advance. This makes it a great option for meal prep.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: This recipe uses a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. You can also add other cheeses, such as cheddar, goat cheese, or feta.
  • Don't overcrowd the pizza: When adding toppings to your pizza, be sure to leave some space between each topping. This will help the pizza cook evenly.
  • Bake the pizza until the cheese is melted and bubbly: The pizza is done baking when the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.

Conclusion:

Cilantro pesto pizza is a delicious and easy-to-make meal. It's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, and it's also a great way to use up leftover cilantro. With its vibrant flavors and cheesy goodness, this pizza is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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