Paula Deen's Carne Asada Pizza

My wife mad the most delicious pizza tonight.

Earlier this week, she picked up a copy of the July/August 2007 issue of "Cooking With Paula Deen".

Paula's Traditional Pizza Crust

Ingredients:

1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/4 cups warm water (105°-115°)
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Cornmeal

In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, combine yeast, sugar, and water; let stand for 5 minutes. In the work bowl of a food processor, combine the flour and salt. Pulse several times to combine. With processor running slowly add the yeast mixture and oil. Continue running food processor until the mixture is combined and forms a ball.

On a lightly floured surface, turn the dough out and kneead for 5 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85 degrees), free from drafts, for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Preheat oven to 450°.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into an 18-inch circle. Sprinkle a pizza stone evenly with cornmeal. Place the dough round on top of the stone, folding the edges over to form a crust. Prick dough with a fork. Top with the topping recipe below and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Paula's Carne Asada Pizza Topping

Ingredients:

3/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons oilive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1-1/2 pounds top sirloin, cut into thin strips
1 cup mozarella cheese
2 poblano peppers, seeded, roasted, and chopped
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 Roma tomato, thinly sliced
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese

In the container of an electic blender, combine the cilantro, garlic, oil, and lime juice. Pulse untol pureed; set aside. In a large skillet, cook sirloin over medium-high heat until browned, for about 4 minutes; set aside.

Spread cilantro mixture over prepared crust (from above); sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Top evenly with sirloin, peppers, onion, and tomato. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is lightly browned.

All I can say, is that this pizza was absolutely delicious. One of my favorite dishes at Mexican restaurants is Carne Asada, and when my wife pulled this thing out of the oven, I was in Carne Asada Nirvana.

If you love Carne Asada, and you love pizza, you will love this recipe.