Once again, with the help of your votes, I have made it to challenge 5 of Project Food Blog. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have made it this far (thank you!!). Challenge 5 requires the contestants to put their own spin on pizza. The simplicity of the challenge is actually what made it so difficult. Pizza is so versatile – I came up with dozens of pizza variations and topping ideas (classic and not, savory and sweet). How do you narrow it down to just one?
I actually ended up going to Whole Foods to buy ingredients for a dessert pizza. Doesn’t that sound like fun? But then I saw a small container of garlic marinated anchovy fillets and this ingredient just spoke to me. Dessert pizza will have to wait for another day. 
I am really into anchovies lately ever since trying a few different kinds of crostini with anchovies on our recent trip to San Francisco and Napa. So it was decided.
- Whole wheat and honey crust. I used this super quick recipe – it literally took less than 20 minutes from start to finish – perfect for even a weeknight!
- Tomato sauce. My absolute favorite sauce is Trader Joe’s organic tomato sauce. I much prefer it to the traditional “pizza sauce” – its a big tangy and very fresh tasting. I am never tempted to make my own. Why mess with perfection?
- Organic part-skim shredded mozzarella
- Garlic marinaded anchovy fillets
- Hot pepper rings
- Avocado
I know this sounds funky but trust me, it REALLY works! (I made little taste test crostini first to make sure I’m not crazy and Adam and I both decided that this was an amazing combo so I proceeded with making it into pizza.)
Come join me in some pizza making… 
Dough pre-rise
About 9-10 minutes later:
A failed attempt at hand-turned pizza:
The dough wasn’t elastic enough, I decided to knead it for a minute and then just roll it out. Easy!
[Tip: shape your dough into the final shape you want it to have - I "beat it" into a circle before rolling it out.]
Pierce with fork, pre-bake at 450* for 3 minutes
Let’s build our toppings!
After baking at 450* for 8 minutes
Top with avocado and get your plates ready.
Let’s eat!! 
The anchovies are a little salty and have balanced flavors of garlic and vinegar, the pepper rings add some nice heat and the avocado provides some creaminess. This is my spin on a traditional pizza recipe.
What’s the most unique pizza combination you’ve ever enjoyed?
PS – Voting for challenge 5 entries begins Monday at 9am EST. If you’d like to support me, please follow the link on the widget (in the left column). Thanks again!!
Wait, what’s the challenge again? (kidding, just poking fun at myself.) I like how you went with an ingredient that spoke to you and changed up your game plan. great job this pizza looks awesome!
Holy crap that looks good.
I really hope you keep advancing! I’m definitely voting for you
I’m so proud of you for advancing and you know you have my vote! I love breakfast pizza with sunny side eggs on it – yum!
Ooh, I bet eggs on pizza are delicious. Must recreate asap
I adore anchovies and anything spicy (as you now know from our Mistral dinner hehe) AND avocados. What a fantastic combo! I once bought a slice of pizza with potatoes and sauerkraut (didn’t like it). I prefer the more traditional toppings. Or anything with anchovies!
Hmm, I actually feel like I’d like sauerkraut on pizza. Basically anything sour/pickly is okay in my book… even on pizza
wow, this looks delicious. I haven’t worked up the courage to try making pizza yet, because I’m really bad at yeasted doughs (I just made an awful loaf of bread…), but I’m going to try it soon!
Laura, this recipe was really easy. Also, check out my other tips on pizza dough making here (if you missed that post for some reason
) http://healthyandsane.com/2010/09/king-arthur-flour-and-how-i-got-rid-of-my-fear-of-yeast-giveaway-winner-announced/
Fabulous job. I can see how buttery avocado makes a great combo here. I have not had anchovies in years…maybe I’ll like them this time!
Make sure to get the marinated kind! They are full of flavor, not just crazy salty like the canned stuff often is.
While this isn’t a pizza I’d be willing to try personally (the anchovies creep me out!), I think you did a wonderful job of being creative!
Sauerkraut and sausage.
It is my favorite pizza but when I tell people about it they usually think is sounds gross.
Hehe, it’s funny that Bianca made the same comment except she didn’t like it. I think I’m will ya
Good for you! Look at you go! Nice technique with the dough
Good luck!
Wow. That’s a really interesting way to top a pizza. Love that you just used the ingredients that called out to you.
I haven’t tried Trader Joe’s pizza sauce… I usually use Pastene — it’s pretty spicy… in case you ever need another option.
Good luck!
Thanks! I’ll check it out if I’m out of the TJ’s stuff.
Great job with the pizza. While I don’t love anchovies I can certainly appreciate your creativity and the hot peppers and avocado sounds amazing too. Congrats and good luck with the challenge!!
Ha ha . . I tried throwing my pizza dough in the air and that was a huge FAIL . . resorted to rolling as well. I love anchovies so I’m sure I would love your pizza.
avocado on pizza? i must try this!!!
Yes, it’s awesome. Just make sure to add it at the end!
Love the combination!
Great job Elina! I would totally eat this. I love avocado and anchovies. YUM!
This looks interesting! My mother loves anchovies, so I think I’ll try this for her this weekend!
Your dad would love that pizza, if he had to eat pizza that is.
I experimented with a pizza this weekend as well. I went to this new restaurant near our work with your dad, and 2 other people and had one of the best pizza’s of my life. So I tried to recreate it at home. They make a reverse pizza, so the main ingredient in my case sweet sausage and peppers goes on first, then the cheese and then the sauce. I put a little too much sauce on it, but my husband and I both agree this is the way to make pizza, it doesn’t slide off and it so yummy.
Haha, Kelly. My dad is already scouting anchovies all over the Boston area. You know him well!
LOVE the idea of a reverse pizza!
I am not a fan of anchovies but I voted for you, anyway!
your pizzas look great! good luck in PFB!
i’m glad you enjoyed the energy bar recipe.
Mmm.. I do love anchovies but I dunno if I could eat them whole, I might have to dice them up and put them in the sauce. Great idea to put avocado slices on the pizza! YUM!
Lauren – the marinated anchovies aren’t intense at all. Give them a try! I was definitely sneaking bites straight out of the container while the pizza was baking.
Thanks Elina, I’ll give them a try sometime!
I am really into anchovies too. In fact all these ingredients “speak to me” too. GREG
This looks delicious! I haven’t really gotten in to anchovies-but I’m considering giving them another go! The combo of the salty anchovies with the avocado must have been awesome!
I’m going to try it soon. It looks like it has real potential, and healthy to boot. You’ve got my vote
So pretty and I love that you used your bread mixer thingy on the dough
Off to vote!
That one looks really yummy, I love using the whole wheat flour it’s much healthier, and your topping really sounds yummy, thanks & wish you good luck
You pizza looks fabulous. You have my vote!
Great post! LOVE anchovies and this combination…voting for you!
[...] PFB C#5: It’s (anchovy, hot pepper and avocado) pizza time! [...]