Not many things go together as well as beer and pizza. Melted cheese, great toppings and a crunchy crust. A cold craft beer full of hop and citrus flavors. Together you have the perfect combination for a great summer meal.
This White Pizza with Chicken, Basil & Blackberry Sauce has a creamy base, lots of cheese and is served with a fruity sauce and fresh basil. The best thing about this white pizza is that it is the perfect way to use fresh herbs from the garden.
I like pairing IPAs with what I call “blank slate” recipes. For example, a pizza is a “blank slate.” So are burgers, sandwiches and most pasta dishes. Start with a sauce, meat and cheeses, and then the rest is up to you. Adjust the ingredients to complement the IPA of your choosing.
Weekend Away IPA from Paw Paw Brewing is a West Coast style IPA which matches well with sweeter foods — think berry cobblers and pies, making the blackberry sauce a great addition to this pizza and beer pairing.
For more satisfying food and beer pairings visit BottomLeftoftheMitten.com.
White Pizza with Chicken,
Basil & Blackberry Sauce
Makes three 7-inch pizzas
Ingredients
White Chicken Pizza:
3 7-inch premade pizza crusts, traditional
8 ounces whole milk ricotta
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp Italian seasoning or us fresh herbs like parsley, oregano and marjoram
1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese
1 ½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup Italian Blend shredded cheese
Blackberry Sauce
¼ cup blackberry preserves
2 tbs. water
Fresh basil for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, garlic and seasoning or herbs.
Spread the ricotta mixture over the three pizza crusts.
Divide and sprinkle the cheese over the crusts.
Top with chicken and red onions.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Blackberry sauce
About 5 minutes before your pizza is out of the oven, add the blackberry preserves and water to a small saucepan.
Bring to a low boil, letting the preserves break down and the sauce to reduce by half.
Take the pizza out of the oven and serve with fresh basil and drizzled with sauce.
Get grilling! Brush premade pizza crusts with oil and place on the grill.
Cook on one side 1 minute. Flip the crust then add the ingredients for the pizza.
Close the grill and cook 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted. χ
