Japanese-Style Pizza

I know, I know. I haven't posted in forever. Things got crazy with the holidays and me studying for a test that had to be done before the end of the year. I'm back, for now, at least until tax season gets too crazy for me to write. :-(

Tyler picked this recipe. He visited Japan with his mom and friends earlier this year and has really taken an interest in the food and culture of Japan since then. I wasn't so sure about this one, but it was actually pretty good. Sometimes it pays to try things outside the box.

Sauce (I suggest making this ahead of time)

• 2 large onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 lb ripe tomatoes

Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic. Saute in the olive oil over low heat for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are transparent. Roughly chop the tomatoes and add to the onions. 

Cook the mixture over a medium heat for 35-40 minutes, or until it begins to thicken. 

The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Makes 4 cups. 

Pizza

• yeast free pizza dough
• 8 oz pork fillet
• 2 Tbsp teriyaki glaze (if unavailable, can also use sauce or soy sauce)
• wasabi paste, to taste
• 1/4 cup bamboo shoots
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 Tbsp black sesame seeds

Place a pizza brick or baking sheet in the oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Trim the pork fillet of any fat and thinly slice. Combine with the teriyaki glaze and set aside to marinate until needed. 

On a floured surface, press out the pizza dough, using your fingertips, into a 12 inch circle (always pressing from the inside of the dough to the outside). Place the dough on the heated brick or sheet Spread a little wasabi over the base, then spoon on 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Top with the pork, bamboo shoots, mozzarella and sesame seeds. 

Bake for 15 minutes, or until pizza is golden on the edges and crisp underneath.

NOTES: Like the last pizza we tried from this book, we just bought store-made dough, therefore, I'm not sure how that would have changed the taste of this recipe, but it was still good, in our opinion. 

We also didn't do the bamboo shoots. We've all had them in various foods and just don't like them, so instead of trying to find our way around the Asian market again, we skipped them. 

Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes (including time to make sauce)

Recipe from The Little Guides - Pizzas