House of McNally: Grilled French Bread Pizza

BY LYNDSI McNALLY

Sweet Owen Contributor

SPRING IS IN THE AIR and that means local fresh finds. This French bread pizza can be recreated in your home using local ingredients and a little creativity. Shop your farmers market or local vegetable stand for artisan breads, spring vegetables, olive oils, and dried herbs.

Grilled French Bread Pizza

1/2 loaf French bread

2 tbsp. basil pesto (recipe below)

1 fresh sliced Roma tomato

1 small zucchini

1/2 white onion (thinly sliced)

2 tbsp. dried basil

1 cup Arugula and spinach blend

Shaved Parmesan

Olive oil

Sea salt and pepper

For Pesto: Combine 2 cups fresh basil, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1/3 cup walnuts, 3 cloves of garlic, salt and pepper in a blender until blended. Store in air-tight container in refrigerator.

For Pizza: Drizzle olive oil on bread and grill in a cast iron grill pan or on your outdoor grill until marks appear. Meanwhile, sauté zucchini and onion in olive oil with salt, pepper, and dried basil. Spread pesto onto grilled bread, then spoon vegetables over pesto. Top with salted tomato, Arugula and shaved Parmesan. Drizzle balsamic glaze for a little extra kick.

LYNDSI MCNALLY is a resident of Owen County, wife, and mother of two boys. She makes her living as a Family Support Worker for HANDS at the Three Rivers District Health Department and often entertains her hundreds of Facebook followers by sharing photos of home-cooked meals.