Zesty Mexican Pizza with Charred Tomatillo & Avocado Salsa: A Vibrant Culinary Fiesta
Pizza, in its magnificent versatility, truly stands as a culinary canvas. It’s a dish that invites creativity, allowing you to combine almost any flavors imaginable and emerge with something undeniably delicious. Lately, I’ve found myself completely captivated by the rich, complex, and utterly irresistible world of Mexican cuisine. The vibrant spices, the fresh herbs, the zesty tang of lime, and the earthy undertones of chilies have woven their way into my cooking, making it nearly impossible to resist those captivating Latin flavors. It’s a delightful obsession, especially with August bringing one of my absolute favorite ingredients into peak season: tomatillos.
There’s an undeniable magic to tomatillos. Their inherent tanginess is a refreshing counterpoint to richer flavors, but when they’re introduced to heat, particularly a high char, they transform entirely. That smoky char adds a layer of depth that is simply unparalleled, bringing a wonderful complexity to the star of this dish: the avocado-tomatillo salsa. This isn’t just any salsa; it’s a creamy, tangy, and subtly smoky masterpiece that forms the perfect flavor foundation for our pizza. This vibrant base perfectly complements the rich, smoky chorizo, the burst of sweetness from ripe diced tomatoes, the sharp, zippy bite of red onions, and the creamy, mild crumble of queso fresco. Imagine a lively, sun-drenched summer fiesta – that’s precisely the explosion of color and flavor this Mexican pizza promises to deliver to your tastebuds, transporting you with every single bite.
The beauty of this homemade pizza lies in the harmony of its carefully chosen ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating a balanced and exciting flavor profile. From the moment the charred tomatillos release their aromatic, slightly acidic notes, to the blend with creamy avocado and spicy jalapeno in the salsa, you know you’re in for a treat. The robust, savory notes of the chorizo mingle with the fresh crunch of the vegetables and the delicate saltiness of the queso fresco, all on a perfectly crisp pizza crust. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes, a true celebration of bold Mexican-inspired flavors on a beloved pizza base.
Beyond the simple act of eating, I find profound joy and a significant lift in my spirits from experiencing beautiful, colorful food. There’s something inherently uplifting about a plate bursting with natural hues, and this Mexican pizza certainly delivers on that front. It’s a sensory experience that goes beyond taste, engaging the eyes and truly enhancing the mood. This connection between vibrant food and emotional well-being has felt particularly poignant recently, especially as my head has still been whirling from the profound sadness of Robin Williams’ passing. His presence in the world, through his incredible comedy and his deeply moving dramatic performances, shaped so much of my childhood and continued to inspire me as I grew older.
From the whimsical world of Hook to the adventurous chaos of Jumanji, and from his legendary stand-up comedy routines that left audiences breathless with laughter to my absolute favorite, the brilliant and heartwarming The Birdcage, Robin Williams consistently brought unparalleled joy into my life. He created those big belly laughs that make your abs ache and tears stream down your face – a pure, unadulterated happiness that resonated deeply. His unique brand of humor and his incredible talent as an actor brought so much light and happiness to this world, and it feels undeniably dimmer without him in it. I know I shared a tribute to him earlier this week, but I feel compelled to share this particularly beautiful one with you all too. It perfectly captures the essence of how I want to remember his extraordinary life and enduring legacy.
In an earnest effort to bring back some much-needed color and light into this world, and to consciously lift my own spirits during a period of reflection, I genuinely believe this Mexican pizza is the perfect culinary solution. It’s a dish that embodies joy, freshness, and bold flavors – a small, yet significant, act of self-care and a celebration of life through food. The act of preparing something so vibrant and then sharing it, even if just with myself, feels like a warm embrace. So, as I reflect on cherished memories and the enduring power of laughter, I am going to go devour the rest of my delightful Mexican pizza as I settle in to watch the incomparable Mrs. Doubtfire. It’s the perfect way to honor a legend and savor a truly spectacular meal.
This Mexican pizza isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s about embracing the richness of seasonal ingredients like fresh tomatillos, understanding how simple techniques like charring can unlock incredible depths of flavor, and combining them with beloved comfort food concepts. The process of making your own avocado-tomatillo salsa, spreading it lovingly over a homemade or store-bought pizza dough, and then topping it with a medley of colorful and savory ingredients is incredibly rewarding. Each step builds anticipation for the first glorious bite, where the tang of the salsa, the spice of the chorizo, the sweetness of the tomato, and the freshness of the onion all converge. It’s truly a main dish that satisfies on every level, offering a delicious escape to a world of vibrant Mexican flavors. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a show-stopping dish for entertaining, this recipe promises to be a new favorite, bringing excitement and a burst of flavor to your table.
table of contents
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Mexican Pizza
ingredients
- 1 ball store-bought pizza dough
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 chorizo sausage chopped into 1/2” pieces
- 1/3 cup queso fresco
- 1 tomato diced
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 3 Tbsp sour cream
- ⅓ lb tomatillos husked and rinsed
- 1 avocado
- 1 small jalapeno diced
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- Juice from ½ a lime
- Salt and pepper
instructions
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Roast tomatillos under hot broiler for 5 minutes, turn over and roast for another 5 minutes. In a blender or food processor, whirl tomatillos, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, and avocado until coarsely puréed. Pour into a bowl. Add lime juice and salt to taste. Set aside.
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees and place a pizza stone on the middle rack.
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Roll out pizza dough into a 12”-14” pizza, tucking in the edges to form a crust for the pizza. Brush the crust with olive oil. Using a fork, poke holes in the surface of the dough about 30-40 times to keep it from bubbling up too much in the oven. Carefully place the pizza crust on the pizza stone. Bake in the oven until golden brown, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven to serving plate.
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Spread approximately 1/4 cup of the avocado tomatillo salsa on the pizza crust. Sprinkle on chorizo, tomato, red onion, and queso fresco. Add the sour cream to the center of the pizza. Cut into 8 slices and serve immediately.