Jenny's Broccolini Chickpea Pizza Recipe

Broccolini: A green vegetable similar to broccoli but with longer, thinner stalks and smaller florets.

Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, these legumes add a nutty flavor and texture to the pizza.

Mozzarella cheese: A soft, white cheese that melts beautifully, providing a creamy texture and rich flavor.

Pizza sauce: A tomato-based sauce that serves as the base for the pizza toppings.

Pizza dough: The foundation of the pizza, which can be store-bought or homemade.

Olive oil: Used to drizzle over the pizza, adding a rich, fruity flavor.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity to the pizza.

When preparing the broccolini, blanch it in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before adding it to the pizza. This will help maintain its vibrant green color and ensure it cooks evenly in the oven.

• broccolini - Substitute with broccoli: Broccoli has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a good alternative.

• chickpeas - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a creamy texture and mild flavor that complements the pizza well.

• mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a slightly stronger flavor, which can add a nice twist to the pizza.

• pizza sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.

• pizza dough - Substitute with cauliflower crust: Cauliflower crust is a great low-carb alternative that still provides a crispy base for the pizza.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good substitute for olive oil.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, which can enhance the overall taste of the pizza.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with crushed red pepper flakes: Crushed red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and a different kind of spice to the pizza.

• Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures that each slice remains fresh and prevents freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label the bag with the date to keep track of storage time.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, place the wrapped slices in the freezer, where they can last up to 2 months.
• To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the slices on a baking sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from drying out. Heat for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crisp.
• Alternatively, you can reheat in a microwave on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking. For a crispier crust, use a microwave crisper pan.
• If reheating from frozen, allow the slices to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before following the reheating instructions.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the leftover pizza on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover the pizza loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the leftover pizza slices in the skillet.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the cheese.
  4. Heat for about 5-8 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a microwave-safe plate in the microwave.
  2. Put a cup of water in the microwave to keep the pizza from drying out.
  3. Place the leftover pizza on the plate.
  4. Microwave on high for about 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pizza is heated through.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the leftover pizza slices directly on the toaster oven rack or on a baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Oven: Preheat to 450°F (230°C) to bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

• Baking sheet: Spread the pizza dough on this to create the base for your pizza.

• Pizza stone: Optional, but can be used instead of a baking sheet for a crispier crust.

• Rolling pin: Use this to roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness.

• Can opener: Open the can of chickpeas to drain and rinse them.

• Colander: Rinse the chickpeas in this after draining them from the can.

• Knife: Trim the broccolini and cut it into smaller pieces if necessary.

• Cutting board: Use this as a surface to trim and cut the broccolini.

• Measuring spoons: Measure out the olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

• Measuring cup: Measure out the shredded mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce.

• Spoon: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough.

• Cheese grater: If you are shredding your own mozzarella cheese, use this tool.

• Pizza cutter: Slice the pizza into pieces once it is baked.

• Oven mitts: Protect your hands when removing the hot baking sheet from the oven.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the ingredients to save time.

Use pre-cut broccolini: Purchase pre-cut broccolini to skip the trimming step.

Ready-made dough: Opt for store-bought pizza dough to avoid the time-consuming process of making it from scratch.

Pre-shredded cheese: Use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to eliminate the need for grating.

Batch rinse chickpeas: Rinse and drain chickpeas in bulk and store them in the fridge for quick access.

Organize ingredients: Lay out all ingredients before starting to streamline the cooking process.