Grilled pizza might be something you have never tried or it might be something you have never heard of. If you think about it though, can you imagine a delicious pizza topped with your favorite ingredients, taking on the subtle smoky flavor from the grill? The thought alone is delicious. Grilled pizza on a gas grill is even easier because you can control the temperature better.

Pizza is usually baked, either in a pizza oven or in a regular oven, but grilled pizza recipes are becoming more popular.

Why Grill Pizza?

If you are eating al fresco, it is fun to cook outdoors too. Running indoors to check the pizza every five minutes is no fun, but cooking it on the grill means you can be outside, enjoying the weather and the pleasure of whatever company you happen to have, while your grilled pizza recipe cooks to perfection.

Whichever type of pizza crust, pizza sauce and pizza toppings you prefer, you can grill your pizza. If you are having a get together, you can make individual pizzas so people can add their own toppings (this also saves you time if you have a lot of guests). Alternatively, you can make one or two big pizzas for everyone to share.

Grilled Pepperoni Pizza with Vegetables

The following recipe shows you how to make a delicious grilled pizza recipe. This recipe makes enough for four people, but make that two if you are very hungry! Feel free to add any vegetables to the pizza. Saute any hard vegetables in oil before adding them to the pizza. Softer ones like tomato, zucchini, or mushrooms will soften on the grill.

You will need:

• 1 lb pizza dough
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 jar pizza sauce
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 6 oz pepperoni, sliced
• 1 tomato, sliced (and any other vegetables you like)
• 2 canned pineapple rings, chopped
• 6 olives, halved

How to make it:

Preheat a gas grill on high for 15 minutes, and then turn the temperature down to medium. Sprinkle the flour over cutting board. Stretch and roll the dough into the size and shape you want, on the floured cutting board.

Spread half olive oil over the dough, then flip it and spread the rest of the oil over the other side. Put the dough on a tray or big piece of foil to carry it to the grill, then flip it upside down on the grill and remove the foil or tray.

Close the grill lid and cook the pizza crust for about 4 minutes, checking it halfway through. Transfer it to the cutting board and add the sauce to the pizza crust, grilled side up. Add the toppings, cheese, and herbs.

Switch off one of the two grill burners and put the pizza back on the grill. Cover the grill, cook it for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, and the pizza crust is cooked through and browned on the bottom.

If the pizza crust is cooked on the bottom but the cheese is not melted yet, move the pizza to another spot on the grill. Remove the finished pizza, using a pair of long handled spatulas or a baker's peel, slice it into wedges, and serve.