As August comes to an end, it only seems appropriate to highlight a dish that epitomizes summer dining. Quick, simple, and highlighting the fresh foods we've come to expect with the season, these naan pizzas are just that:
It's the time of the year when stopping to enjoy the world around you — especially the great outdoors — should be a priority. Before we know it, pausing to enjoy Mother's Nature's glory will give way to PTO meetings, winterizing, and finding all those sweaters that got packed away. So now's the time to make a simple meal and find a pretty place to enjoy it. Maybe even pause to notice the beauty tucked into all of the corners of our lives while we're at it.
One of the best things about these pizzas is that you can top them any way you'd like. I opted for some prosciutto, parmesan, chevre, sliced plums and nectarines for one of my recent offerings. The parmesan got grated over the naan, and the prosciutto and chevre got sprinkled over that. Then, after a brief stint in the oven, juice plums and nectarines got added. This one's particularly perfect, as stone fruit is at the height of its season now. Enjoy them before the season's up!
I paired the salty, fruity option above with another piece of naan sprinkled with grated parmesan, sliced garden tomatoes, pepperoni, and dollops of pesto. Like the first one, the naan had parmesan sprinkled on first and pepperoni and tomatoes layered over that. That was baked and the dollops of fresh pesto and more grated parmesan were added after it was taken out of the oven. What a flavor combination!
The toppings described above are just suggestions about what you can put on a piece of naan. Don't forget other flavor stars like olives, onions, sliced garlic, fresh herbs, chopped peppers, crumbled sausage, grilled eggplant, roasted beets, all manner of cheese, fresh strips of zucchini, and much more. Honestly, this is a great recipe for using leftovers, small bits of cheese, the last spoonful of condiments, single slices of lunchmeat … you know, those things you don't want to waste but can't figure out how to use. It's pizza time!
And when you've invested less than a half hour assembling dinner, pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine, find a spot in the yard, and enjoy dinner and the beauty that is summer. It won't be around for much longer.
Naan Pizzas
- 1 (8.8 oz.) package prepared naan bread
- Toppings as desired*
Preheat the oven to 400° F. Layer the toppings you choose on each piece of naan and then bake for 8-10 minutes until the bread is crisp and the toppings warmed. Add additional toppings that shouldn't be baked after removing from the oven. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
* Refer to the Casual Summer Dining article for lots of great topping ideas or come up with new favorites.
- Yields: 2 servings
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes