Creole Shrimp and Okra Pizza
When I make a batch of pizza dough, I make enough for a few mini pizzas and some bread too. Three mini pizzas and a dozen slider burger rolls is what I baked with this batch of dough. Pizza dough is the same thing as Italian bread dough or focaccia dough. Some French baguette doughs also use the same recipe.
This Creole Shrimp and Okra Pizza is very special! The flavors are truly New Orleans Creole. This pizza is a delicious, gourmet delight! Gourmet mini pizzas are well liked in any language.
Recipe: Make the pizza dough recipe that I posted on 11/25/2010 in the Garlic Smelt, Fresh Basil and Mushroom Pizza recipe . Pat out a mini pizza shape on a floured counter top. Set the mini pizza dough on a lightly oiled baking pan. Pat the dough lightly again to make the dough an even thickness. Brush the mini pizza dough with olive oil and bake in an oven at 400 degrees till it is half way done cooking.
Heat a sauce pot over medium heat. Add few dabs of tomato paste, a splash of water, a splash of olive oil and a few pats of unsalted butter. Stir the sauce.
Add a few pinches of each of these seasonings: chopped garlic, tarragon, marjoram, oregano, basil, thyme, cayenne pepper, sea salt and black pepper. (This is not a true creole sauce but it is a pizza sauce with a true creole flavor.)
After the sauce is simmering, add some sliced fresh okra and peeled shrimp. Simmer till the okra and shrimp are cooked al dente.
Scoop the okra pieces and shrimp out of the creole pizza sauce and let them cool on a plate.
Spread the creole pizza sauce on the mini pizza with a spoon from the center of the pizza out to the edge of the crust.
Sprinkle some grated mozzarella and grated provolone cheese on the pizza.
Sprinkle diced red bell pepper, diced green bell pepper, diced onion and diced green onion on top of the cheese.
Arrange the reserved shrimp around on the pizza.
Set the reserved okra slices on top of the pizza.
Sprinkle the pizza with a little more grated mozzarella and provolone cheese.
Sprinkle a little bit of chopped parsley on top of the pizza.
Place the pizza back in the 400 degree oven and bake it till the cheese melts and the vegetables are lightly cooked. (Don't bake the pizza for too long of a time or the shrimp will dry out.)
Slide the pizza on to a cutting board and cut it into slices.
Slide the pizza slices on to a serving platter.
The New Orleans shrimp and okra creole flavors are saturated all through this pizza. Shrimp Creole and okra are a great flavor match. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper for your spicy hot flavor preference This is a truly wonderful pizza that will convert novices of creole entrees to New Orleans cooking flavors. It is indescribable how great tasting this pizza really is! This pizza is fantastic! ... Shawna