YUMMY ESSENTIALS: GARLIC BREAD CIABATTA PIZZA

Yummy Essentials: Garlic Bread Ciabatta Pizza image

I really had fun with this one, and the nice thing about it is you can have it on the table in about 30 minutes. I worked on this late into the evening, and the game changer to me was to make it on garlic bread... that really made the difference. Make it as a starter for a casual party, or whip one up, get cozy on the couch, turn down the lights, and watch your favorite horror flick... Or not. So, you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Provided by Andy Anderson ! @ThePretentiousChef

Categories Pizza

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
1 - 2 ciabatta bread loaves, or buns
3 tablespoon(s) sweet butter, unsalted, melted
2 clove(s) garlic, minced, or more if you are a garlic lover (i am)
1 teaspoon(s) celery salt
1/4 cup(s) pizza sauce, your choice
dried basil, to taste
dried oregano, to taste
1 cup(s) mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup(s) parmesan cheese, freshly grated
THE TOPPINGS
italian sausage
pepperoni
veggies
ham
black olives
the sky is truly the limit
OPTIONAL ITEMS
crushed red-pepper flakes, for kick
additional parmesan, for topping after baking

Steps:

PREP/PREPARE
The idea for making this a garlic-bread pizza all began when I was disappointed with the sogginess of the bread when it came out of the oven. My solution was to toast the bread, and I thought that if the bread is going to be toasted, why not make it garlic bread? So, now you know the rest of the story.
I make my own ciabatta bread (when I can), and also my own pizza sauce. Obviously, if you want to make this quick and simple, just go to your happy grocer, and pick up what you need.
I do not have a ciabatta bread recipe posted; however, if you are in the market for a good pizza sauce, here you go: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/quick-essentials-down-dirty-pizza-sauce.html?r=3
If you want to have some fun, try mixing the mozzarella cheese with some provolone, fontana, or other cheeses; how about a bit of goat cheese?
You can make garlic bread with garlic salt, garlic powder, or fresh minced garlic. I experimented with all three, and I love the flavor that fresh garlic brings to this recipe.
Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
Add the garlic, and celery salt, to the melted butter, then stir to combine.
Use a bread knife to cut the ciabatta in half lengthwise.
Brush with the butter/garlic/celery salt mixture.
Place the bread under your oven broiler, and get it nice and toasty.
Remove the bread, and set the temperature of the oven to 400f (205c).
Brush the sauce on the cut (toasted) sides of the bread.
Grab a pinch or two, then sprinkle on the dried basil and oregano, until you like what you see.
Add desired toppings (meats, veggies, etc.), top with the mozzarella, and then sprinkle with the parmesan.
Place in the oven, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, and starting to brown, about 12 - 14 minutes. Allow them to cool slightly, and maybe add a bit of sauce to the top.
PLATE/PRESENT
Cut into planks, and serve, while nice and warm. Enjoy.
Keep the faith, and keep cooking.