Pizza, one of the most universally beloved dishes, has a long and storied history that traces its roots back to ancient civilizations. But what if you could take this classic dish and elevate it to a new level with a vibrant, tangy twist? Enter the chimichur tomato pizza recipe—a dish that fuses the zesty, herbaceous flavors of chimichurri sauce with the rich, comforting appeal of tomato and traditional pizza ingredients. This recipe combines the best of Argentinian and Italian cuisines, resulting in a pizza that bursts with unique flavors.
The Origins of chimichur and Pizza Fusion
What is Chimichurri?
chimichur is a traditional Argentinian sauce that has become a staple in kitchens around the world. Typically made from fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, this uncooked sauce offers a bright, tangy flavor that pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats. European immigrants likely brought the idea of chimichurri to Argentina, where they adapted their traditional sauces using local ingredients.
The versatility of chimichurri cannot be overstated. While most commonly used as a condiment for steak or other grilled meats, its fresh, herbaceous flavor also enhances a variety of other dishes, including pizza. This is where our journey begins—combining the tangy punch of chimichurri with the rich, savory flavors of tomato sauce and cheese to create a pizza that stands out from the ordinary.
A Brief History of Pizza
Pizza as we know it today originated in Naples, Italy, during the 18th century. The traditional Neapolitan pizza is characterized by its thin, soft crust, fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil—representing the colors of the Italian flag. Over the centuries, pizza has evolved and taken on countless forms, with different regions around the world putting their unique spin on the dish.
The fusion of pizza with chimichurri sauce represents a more recent innovation, blending the old world with the new and offering a fresh take on a beloved classic. This combination highlights how food cultures can blend together, creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin the cooking process, gather all the necessary ingredients. The success of this recipe depends not only on the quality of the ingredients but also on the way they are prepared and combined. This recipe is flexible, allowing you to customize it based on your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Pizza Dough: The Foundation
The foundation of any great pizza is the dough. While you can opt for a store-bought dough for convenience, there’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own homemade dough from scratch. Here are your options:
- Homemade Dough: If you have the time, making your own dough is highly recommended. This allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring that your pizza crust is exactly to your liking. A simple dough recipe typically includes flour, yeast, water, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Allowing the dough to rise properly gives it that light, airy texture once baked.
- Store-bought Dough: For those who are short on time or prefer convenience, store-bought dough offers a viable alternative. Many supermarkets sell high-quality dough that you can use straight out of the package. Look for a dough with good elasticity, which will make it easier to roll out and shape.
Chimichurri Sauce: The Star of the Show
The chimichurri sauce sets this pizza apart from others. Its bright, fresh flavors bring a new dimension to the dish, making it both tangy and savory. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh parsley (1 cup): Parsley forms the base of the sauce and provides that vibrant green color.
- Oregano (2 tbsp): Oregano adds an earthy flavor that complements the parsley.
- Garlic (4 cloves): Garlic gives the sauce its characteristic sharpness.
- Red wine vinegar (3 tbsp): This provides the necessary acidity to balance the other flavors.
- Olive oil (1/2 cup): Olive oil not only binds the ingredients together but also adds a rich mouthfeel.
- Salt and pepper to taste: These are essential for seasoning the sauce.
Tomato Sauce: The Classic Companion
A rich tomato sauce forms the foundation of most traditional pizzas, and this recipe is no exception. However, the tomato sauce here complements the bold flavors of chimichurri. Here’s how to make it:
- Fresh tomatoes (4-5, medium-sized): Fresh tomatoes offer a sweet, juicy base.
- Garlic (2 cloves): Garlic adds depth to the sauce, making it more complex.
- Basil (a handful): Fresh basil infuses the sauce with a fragrant aroma and flavor.
- Salt and pepper to taste: These bring out the natural flavors of the tomatoes.
Toppings: Adding the Final Touches
The toppings you choose can make or break your pizza. For the chimichurri tomato pizza, mozzarella is the cheese of choice, but you can also experiment with other cheeses and additional toppings based on your preferences:
- Mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese, known for its meltability and mild flavor.
- Optional: Goat cheese, chorizo, sausage, bell peppers, zucchini: These toppings add variety and richness to the pizza, allowing you to customize it to your taste.
Preparing the chimichur Sauce
The key to this pizza’s unique flavor lies in the chimichurri sauce. Making it from scratch ensures freshness and vibrancy, with all the flavors coming together perfectly. Here’s how to prepare it:
- Chop the Herbs: Begin by finely chopping the parsley and oregano. These herbs form the backbone of the chimichurri sauce, providing a fresh, herbal flavor that is both aromatic and earthy.
- Mince the Garlic: Next, mince the garlic. Finely mince the garlic to ensure that it blends well with the other ingredients.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped herbs and minced garlic with the red wine vinegar. The vinegar adds a tangy acidity that balances the richness of the olive oil.
- Add Olive Oil: Slowly pour in the olive oil while stirring the mixture. This will emulsify the sauce, giving it a smooth, cohesive texture.
- Season: Finally, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. This is your chance to adjust the flavors to your liking—some might prefer a more acidic sauce, while others might want more salt.
After preparing the chimichurri, allow it to sit for a while, giving the flavors time to meld together. This resting period allows the herbs to infuse the oil and vinegar, resulting in a more balanced and flavorful sauce.
Discover other ways to use chimichurri with these Best Chimichurri Recipes and explore its versatility beyond pizza. From steak to sandwiches, chimichurri enhances a wide range of dishes.
Crafting the Perfect Tomato Sauce
A rich tomato sauce is a non-negotiable component of most pizzas. It serves as the canvas upon which all other flavors are built. For this recipe, we’ll make a tomato sauce that complements the bright, zesty chimichurri without overpowering it.
- Prepare the Tomatoes: Start by washing and dicing the fresh tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes provide a sweeter, more vibrant flavor compared to canned tomatoes.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat a small amount of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes to the saucepan and cook until they begin to break down, releasing their juices. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Basil and Seasoning: Once the tomatoes have cooked down into a sauce, add the fresh basil and season with salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
The tomato sauce should be thick but spreadable, with a balance of sweetness from the tomatoes and a slight acidity. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your desired consistency.
For a spicier kick, consider trying a Chorizo & Chimichurri Pizza recipe, which you can find here. The addition of chorizo brings a smoky, spicy element that pairs beautifully with both the chimichurri and tomato sauces.
Assembling the chimichur Tomato Pizza
With both your chimichur and tomato sauces ready, it’s time to assemble the pizza. This is where the magic happens, as the different components come together to create a harmonious dish.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Roll Out the Dough: Begin by rolling out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. The thickness of the dough is a matter of personal preference. Roll the dough thinly for a crispy crust. If you prefer a chewier crust, leave it slightly thicker.
- Transfer to Baking Sheet or Pizza Stone: After rolling out the dough to your desired thickness, transfer it to a baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone. The stone helps achieve a crispier crust by distributing heat evenly.
Step 2: Spread the Sauces
- Chimichurri Sauce First: Start by spreading the chimichurri sauce evenly over the dough. Be generous, as this sauce is the star of the pizza. Ensure that the sauce covers the entire surface, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Tomato Sauce Next: After the chimichurri, spread the tomato sauce over the chimichurri layer. The tomato sauce adds a sweet, tangy flavor that balances the herbaceous notes of the chimichurri.
Step 3: Add the Toppings
- Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza. Mozzarella is chosen for its excellent melting properties, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses like goat cheese for a tangier flavor.
- Additional Toppings: Add any additional toppings you like. Chorizo, sausage, or vegetables such as bell peppers and zucchini are all excellent choices that complement the flavors of the chimichurri and tomato sauce.
Baking the Pizza to Perfection
Baking is the final and crucial step in pizza-making. The goal is to achieve a crust that is golden and crispy, with the cheese melted to perfection.
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). This high temperature is essential for cooking the pizza quickly and evenly, resulting in a crust that is both crispy and chewy.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Check for Doneness: The pizza is ready when the crust is crispy and the cheese is fully melted with some golden spots. If you prefer a crispier crust, leave the pizza in the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about pizza is its versatility. The chimichurri tomato pizza serves as a base that can be customized to suit your personal preferences. Here are a few variations to consider:
Vegetarian Delight
For those who prefer a meatless option, the vegetarian version of this pizza is equally delicious and satisfying.
- Veggie Toppings: Top your pizza with a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions. These veggies add texture, color, and flavor, making the pizza both healthy and hearty.
- Cheese Options: Stick with the classic mozzarella or experiment with feta or ricotta for a creamier, tangier flavor.
Meat Lover’s Dream
If you’re a fan of hearty, protein-packed pizzas, this variation is for you.
- Chorizo and Sausage: Add slices of chorizo and sausage to your pizza. The smoky, spicy flavors of the chorizo pair perfectly with the tangy chimichur and sweet tomato sauce.
- Bacon: For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle some crispy bacon over the top. The saltiness of the bacon complements the other ingredients, creating a well-rounded flavor profile.
Cheese Lover’s Special
For those who can’t get enough cheese, this variation turns the pizza into a rich, gooey delight.
- Goat Cheese: In addition to mozzarella, crumble some goat cheese over the pizza. The tanginess of the goat cheese adds a new dimension to the flavor, making each bite more complex.
- Extra Mozzarella: Double up on the mozzarella for a super cheesy experience. You can also add parmesan for a sharp, nutty flavor.
FAQs: Common Pizza Questions Answered
When making pizza at home, many questions often arise, especially for those who are new to pizza-making. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers:
What is a pizza that does not use tomato sauce called?
A pizza that does not use tomato sauce is commonly referred to as a white pizza or pizza bianca. Instead of tomato sauce, white pizza typically uses a base of olive oil, ricotta cheese, or cream. This style of pizza is popular in Italy and offers a milder, creamier flavor compared to traditional tomato-based pizzas.
Should I cook tomato sauce before putting it on pizza?
Cooking tomato sauce before applying it to pizza is a matter of personal preference and can depend on the type of flavor and texture you want to achieve. Cooked tomato sauce tends to be thicker and more concentrated in flavor, with a deeper, richer taste. On the other hand, uncooked tomato sauce offers a fresher, lighter flavor that allows the natural sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes to shine through.
Is it better to cook or uncooked tomato sauce for pizza?
Both methods have their merits, and the choice largely depends on your taste preference. Cooked sauce is ideal if you want a hearty, robust flavor that stands up to strong toppings like sausage or chorizo. Uncooked sauce, however, is better suited for pizzas where you want a lighter, fresher taste, particularly if you’re using fresh tomatoes.
If you’re a fan of mixing flavors, you might also enjoy experimenting with different combinations like in seafood mixture recipes, which could also be an interesting addition to your pizza toppings.
How do you make tomato pizza not soggy?
Soggy pizza is a common issue, but there are several ways to prevent it:
- Drain Excess Moisture: If you’re using fresh tomatoes, make sure to drain any excess liquid before adding them to the sauce. This helps prevent the sauce from being too watery.
- Use a Thick Sauce: Ensure that your tomato sauce is thick enough to stay in place without seeping into the dough. If necessary, reduce the sauce on the stove to thicken it before applying it to the pizza.
- Don’t Overload Toppings: While it’s tempting to pile on the toppings, doing so can lead to excess moisture and a soggy crust. Use toppings sparingly and spread them evenly across the pizza.
Conclusion
The chimichur tomato pizza is a delightful twist on traditional pizza, offering a burst of fresh, vibrant flavors that are sure to impress. Whether you’re a fan of classic pizzas or looking for something new and exciting, this recipe is bound to satisfy your cravings. The fusion of chimichurri sauce with tomato and mozzarella creates a unique flavor profile that is both tangy and savory, while the customizable toppings allow you to tailor the pizza to your personal taste.
Experiment with different variations and toppings to make this dish truly your own. From vegetarian to meat lover’s to cheese lover’s options, the possibilities are endless. So why not try this recipe and elevate your pizza night to a whole new level?