A Flatbread Pizza Party!

Spring is here and what better reason to celebrate!

Would you like to invite the gang over but are looking for something easy and delish to serve? How about a pizza party or better yet, a flatbread pizza party? Add some wine and cocktails and you’re ready to go!

Pizza made with a flatbread crust is my new fave way to enjoy this hot cheesy delight and I think it will become yours too. It is sooo easy to prepare - just start with purchased flatbread, add your toppings and bake. The list of toppings and combinations is endless so you can be as creative you like.

I have three of my flatbread pizza recipes to share with you. You can follow each recipe, or use as a template for your own delish creation. The first recipe combines savory mushrooms with a sprinkling of fresh herbs. Marinated artichokes, tomato, and scallions top the second. Number three is interesting and entirely plant based with smooth creamy hummus topped with fresh veggies.

But before we start on the pizzas let’s talk cocktails! My latest libation creation is a spring inspired version of the classic Negroni cocktail with a strawberry and rhubarb kick. Yum!

I hope you enjoy these recipes. As I always say, have fun in your kitchen cooking (and making drinks!) for the people you love, and always remember... it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to taste good!

Strawberry Rhubarb Negroni

• 1 ounce of Campari
• 1 ounce of Boodles Rhubarb & Strawberry Gin
• ½ ounce of sweet vermouth
• ½ ounce of orange juice
• Fresh strawberry slices to garnish

Optional: splash of club soda or seltzer

Directions: Pour the first four ingredients into an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled, about 30 seconds or so. Strain into an ice filled “rocks” glass and garnish with a few strawberry slices. You can top the drink off with a splash of club soda or seltzer if desired.

Flatbread Pizza with Hummus and Veggies

• 1 flatbread
• 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil and a little more to drizzle
• ¼ cup hummus of choice
• ½ cup of chopped fresh broccoli
• ½ cup of finely chopped red bell pepper
• ¼ cup of finely chopped purple onion
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the flatbread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the flatbread edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven. When cool enough to handle spread the flatbread with hummus and top with the veggies. Add salt and pepper, drizzle lightly with olive oil and its ready to go!

Flatbread Pizza with Mushrooms & Fresh Herbs

• 1 flatbread
• 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• ½ cup of shredded Italian blend cheese
• ¾ cup of sliced fresh mushrooms, white or baby Portobello work fine
• 1 tablespoon each of minced fresh dill and parsley

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the flatbread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Cover with the cheese and mushrooms, and add salt and pepper to taste. Bake for approximately 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted, and the flat bread is lightly browned. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the dill and parsley. Let it cool a bit and then enjoy!

Flatbread Pizza with Artichokes, Scallions and Roma Tomato

• 1 flatbread
• 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup of shredded Italian blend cheese
• ½ cup of marinated artichokes drained and chopped or broken apart
• ½ of a Roma tomato thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon of thinly sliced scallions

Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the flatbread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Cover with the cheese, artichokes and tomatoes, and add salt and pepper to taste. Bake for approximately 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted and the flat bread is lightly browned. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the scallions. Let it cool a bit and enjoy!

Pizza Recipes: I use purchased flat bread each measuring about 7 x 9 inches. I like “FlatOut” Multigrain. Each recipe makes one pizza, but you can multiply the amount of topping ingredients to make as many as you need. To serve I usually cut each pizza into four slices, but you can make smaller slices if desired.