Pesto, Ricotta, Sun Dried Tomato, and Arugula Pizza

How to Make

• Step 1: You can cook these pizzas on a sheet pan, pizza stone or even the grill. I happen to prefer a pizza stone for this. And, if you use a pizza stone, please remember to preheat your stone.

• Step 2: Pizza ... Add the pizzas to your cooking surface and brush the top of your crust with pesto - 2 tablespoons per crust (if you are making 4 small pizzas). Top with 3 tablespoons of the ricotta, but DO NOT spread it over the pizza; just spoon it on, it will melt a bit and cover the pizza. Then, add a few red pepper flakes, mozzarella, and finally the sun dried tomatoes. Remember, this is NOT a heavy pizza.

• Step 3: Bake ... I usually use a 425-450 degree oven to cook my crusts on a pizza stone, but use the cooking directions for your particular pizza crust. This can vary depending on what type of crust you use; or, how you decide to bake the crust. Usually 10-15 minutes or less is about what the cooking time should be.

• Step 4: Salad ... As the pizza cooks, make the salad topping. Add the arugula and basil to a bowl and drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar; season lightly with salt and pepper, and lightly toss. The dressing should be very light.

• Step 5: Finish ... Remove the pizzas to a serving platter and top off your pizzas with the salad. Simply slice, and ENJOY! The heat from the pizzas lightly heats the salad and makes a fantastic dish. These can be appetizers, a light lunch; or, serve with a cup or bowl of soup for dinner. Even though, it is a bit lighter, it has a ton of flavor.