Mary Shivers

Ada, OK

Creative Creations

BASIL-BUTTERNUT PIZZA

Yields 8 slices



1    Mama Mary’s 12 inch Gourmet Pizza Crust

Olive oil to mist the crust

1/4 cup Garlic-infused Olive Oil

3    small butternut squash, peeled and sliced into _ thick rounds

1    teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1    teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste

1 1/2    cups Semi-aged Manchego Cheese, shredded

1 1/2   cups Asiago Cheese, shredded

1/2    cup fresh Parmesan Cheese, shredded

3    tablespoons fresh basil, slivered



Preheat oven to 375° F.  Spread 1 tablespoon oil on 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.  Add squash slices in a single layer.  Drizzle slices with remaining oil, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until squash is fork tender.



Increase oven temperature to 425° F.



Line a vented pizza pan or large baking sheet with parchment baking paper that has been trimmed so edges do not hang over the pan or touch the oven wall.  Place pizza crust on the parchment lined pan, mist the crust and the rim with olive oil.  Keeping pizza on the pan, bake for 5 minutes.



Sprinkle cheeses evenly over the crust.  Arrange squash slices on cheese.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until cheeses are melted. 



To crisp the crust, remove from the parchment-lined pan and place directly on the oven rack for 3 additional minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with basil.  Cool 5 minutes before slicing.