It's national pizza week.  Did you know that?  Because that is kind of important if you ask me. It's basically an excuse to eat pizza and forget about your new year's resolutions, or not in this case. My roasted tomato and lamb pizza with mint pesto is not only to die for, but it is really pretty good for you too!  How's that for having your cake and eating it too?

I love pizza, like loooove it.  I could eat it everyday if my hips would allow me to.  It is just so good in every way.  It's comforting, it's usually what we eat for dinner on a rainy and cold night, and let's be honest here, is anything with bread and cheese bad?  For me, it's all about the crust.  Canean will sometimes leave his crust on his plate, only to find it disappear by yours truly.  Sometimes I give it to the dogs, but that all depends on the level of greatness that the crust is.

When we were in Miami in October, we went to an amazing restaurant and ordered their lamb pizza to split along with about four other items off of the menu.  It was so simple, so delicious, and I knew I had to try and make it at home.  I honestly cannot tell you what was on their pizza, and I tried to figure it out, but I knew it was all about simple ingredients making an impact.  

So that's what I did here. I took fresh and quality ingredients and created a really delicious pizza.  And it's one that you don't have to feel bad about eating on your healthy start to the new year. Slow roasted tomatoes get pureed for the base, ground lamb gets seasoned to perfection, and crumbled feta gets creamy on top while the pizza bakes in the oven.  You top all of that off with fresh mint pesto and the flavor combinations are insane guys.  

You have to try this pizza out!  And now is as good of time as any, after all it's national pizza week...helllluuurrr.

Ingredients:

Roasted Tomato Sauce-

• 1 Pint of grape tomatoes
• 4 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1 Tsp. Black Pepper
• 1/2 Tsp. Crushed Red Chili Flake
• 5 Oz. Feta Cheese for topping the pizza

Lamb-

• 1 Lb. Ground Lamb
• 1/2 Tsp. Dried Oregano
• 1/4 Tsp. Dried Rosemary
• 1/4 Tsp. Dried Dill Weed
• 1/8 Tsp. Dried Fennel 
• 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1 Tsp. Black Pepper
• 1 Onion, Diced Small

Mint Pesto-

• 1/4 Cup of Fresh Mint Leaves
• 1/2 Cup of Fresh Parsley
• 3 Garlic Cloves
• Juice From One Lemon
• 1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
• 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper

Pizza Crust-

• I bought a fresh whole wheat dough from Trader Joe's, but you can find fresh dough at Whole Foods too where they make pizzas or you can find them in your grocery's freezer section.  If you have a favorite recipe that you make at home that works too!

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Toss your tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes together and place on a baking sheet and roast for 30-45 minutes until tomatoes start to burst and they get caramelized.  Let cool.  Puree the tomatoes until they are smooth reserving a few whole tomatoes for the top of the pizza.
• Up the heat in the oven to 400 degrees.
• In a large pan saute your lamb with the onion and spices until browned.  Drain any excess fat onto a paper lined plate until ready to top the pizza.
• Roll out your pizza dough to desired thickness on a lightly floured and clean surface.
• Place dough onto a pizza stone or baking sheet.
• Put the roasted tomato sauce onto the dough first in an even layer, leaving about an inch of crust around.
• Next add your lamb on top of the sauce in an even layer.
• Crumble the feta cheese on top of the lamb and then bake for 20 minutes until crust is golden.
• While the pizza bakes, combine your mint pesto ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.  Set aside until pizza is done and then drizzle over top. 

What are you must have pizza requirements?  Leave your comments below!