Ultimate Late-Summer Grilled Pizza: Fresh Flavors, Quick Cooking, & Perfect for Your BBQ

Step into the radiant warmth of late summer with this exquisite Grilled Pizza recipe. Bursting with the freshest seasonal produce, this dish promises a delightful culinary experience that cooks up in mere minutes on your barbecue. It’s truly the perfect way to savor and celebrate the bountiful flavors of the season before they fade. Prepare to be amazed by its simplicity and incredible taste!

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Embrace the Season: Welcome to My Cooking with Friends Series!

I’m thrilled to continue my “Cooking with Friends” series, where every two weeks, I invite some of my absolute favorite food writers and bloggers to share their incredible recipes with you. This series is more than just sharing food; it’s about building a community, inspiring culinary adventures, and discovering new flavors and techniques from talented individuals. My hope is that you’ll experience as much joy and discovery in cooking and baking with them as I do. Each guest brings their unique perspective and passion to the kitchen, making every shared recipe a special event. We believe that good food is meant to be shared, and this series is a testament to that philosophy, bringing diverse culinary voices right to your fingertips.

Meet Our Special Guest: Christelle from Christelle is Flabbergasting

Today, we have the immense pleasure of welcoming the wonderfully talented Christelle from Christelle is Flabbergasting. Christelle is a true powerhouse in the culinary world, based in the vibrant city of Montréal. She wears many hats: a prolific food writer whose words bring recipes to life, an artistic director with a keen eye for aesthetics, and a celebrated food and lifestyle photographer whose images are as mouth-watering as her recipes themselves. Her ability to capture the essence of food through both words and visuals is truly remarkable.

Christelle’s culinary roots are as rich and diverse as her creations. Growing up in the gastronomic heart of Paris, she was also deeply connected to her Armenian, Syrian, and Lebanese heritage. This magnificent cultural tapestry is the wellspring of inspiration for her everyday cooking, infusing her dishes with layers of complex flavor, aromatic spices, and a heartfelt connection to tradition. Her expertise is further solidified by her award-winning cookbook, Ensemble, cuisine gourmande et colorée, a testament to her vibrant and flavorful approach to food that has garnered critical acclaim. She has also contributed her insightful food writing to one of Québec’s leading newspapers, La Presse, for many years, sharing her passion for cooking with a broad and appreciative audience across the province.

Her blog, “Christelle is Flabbergasting,” is a delightful extension of her unique personality – fun, quirky, and utterly engaging. While much of her captivating content is in French (making it a fantastic resource if you’re looking to practice your language skills while discovering delicious recipes!), she thankfully translates some of her most delicious and popular creations into English. I’m secretly, or not so secretly, hoping she continues to expand her English offerings because her recipes are, quite simply, awesome. They are the kind of dishes that truly enrich people’s lives, bringing joy and incredible taste to every table. And today, she’s gracing us with a truly special recipe perfect for the end of the season: her gorgeous and remarkably easy-to-make **Late-Summer Grilled Pizza**. Get ready to enjoy every single bite and discover a new favorite!

The Joy of Grilling: A Late-Summer Pizza Revelation

For those of us in Québec, and indeed across many parts of the world, nothing embodies the spirit of summer quite like the sizzle and aroma of a barbecue! The unique smoky flavor and quick cooking time make grilling an indispensable tool for warm-weather entertaining. My personal love for fresh bread and perfectly cooked pizza dough reaches new heights when these delectable bases can be cooked in mere minutes directly on the grill. The high heat creates a uniquely crispy yet chewy crust that’s simply irresistible, infused with a subtle char that you can’t achieve in an indoor oven.

The initial spark for this grilled pizza concept began with a simpler idea: to create a sophisticated “appetizer bread.” The plan was to elegantly top it with a foundational duo of rich cheese and ripe tomato – a classic combination that, in my opinion, is always a winner and universally loved! However, as Christelle developed the recipe for her blog, she found herself inspired by the vibrant abundance of seasonal produce overflowing at the local market. This led to a beautiful and exciting transformation of the original idea, evolving into an “everything” pizza that truly celebrates the pinnacle of summer’s harvest. Fresh, plump figs, sweet corn kernels shucked straight from the cob, and fragrant cilantro soon joined the party, complementing the multicolored cherry tomatoes in a spectacular display of both flavor and vibrant color. This adaptability is one of the many beauties of grilled pizza; it wholeheartedly encourages creativity and makes the absolute most of whatever fresh, peak-season ingredients you happen to have on hand, ensuring every pizza is a unique masterpiece.

Customizing Your Grilled Pizza: Creative Substitution Ideas & Tips

One of the absolute best things about pizza, especially a homemade grilled pizza, is its incredible versatility. This recipe is thoughtfully designed to be adaptable, allowing you to easily tailor it to your specific taste preferences, dietary needs, or simply what delightful produce is currently available at your local market. Here are some fantastic substitution tips and creative ideas to make this Late-Summer Grilled Pizza uniquely and deliciously yours:

• **Dough Alternatives:** While a classic pizza crust is wonderfully satisfying, consider using the same versatile dough recipe to create grilled naan bread instead. This offers a slightly softer, chewier texture that’s equally delicious and pairs beautifully with many of the vibrant toppings. For an extra touch of convenience, high-quality store-bought pizza dough or pre-made naan can also work wonders on the grill, saving you time without sacrificing flavor.
• **Make it Vegetarian:** The thin slices of Spanish cured sausage add a lovely savory depth and a hint of spice, but it’s entirely optional. For an equally delicious and fulfilling vegetarian grilled pizza, simply omit the sausage. You can easily compensate by adding more seasonal vegetables like thinly sliced grilled zucchini, colorful bell peppers, or sweet caramelized onions for extra layers of flavor and texture. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese added after grilling would also be a fantastic addition to a meat-free version.
• **Cheese Choices:** Jarlsberg cheese, with its unique nutty and slightly sweet flavor, melts beautifully and adds a distinct character to this pizza. However, if you prefer a different profile or crave something more traditional, you can readily replace it with authentic, creamy mozzarella di buffala. Its fresh, milky taste is often considered unbeatable on pizza. Other excellent alternatives include fresh goat cheese for a tangy kick that complements the figs, or a robust blend of provolone and grated parmesan for a sharper, more complex flavor.
• **Herb Harmony:** Fresh cilantro brings a distinctive, bright, and slightly citrusy note to this pizza, wonderfully complementing the other late-summer ingredients. However, if you’re not a fan of cilantro, or find yourself firmly on “team no cilantro,” simply replace it with an equal amount of fresh basil leaves. Basil offers a sweet, peppery, and universally loved aroma that is a staple in Italian-inspired dishes and will still provide that essential herbaceous freshness. For those feeling adventurous, fresh mint could also be a surprisingly refreshing and elegant substitute, particularly delightful with the sweetness of the figs.
• **Seasonal Swaps for Toppings:** Don’t limit yourself to just figs, corn, and cherry tomatoes! Think broadly about other late-summer delights. Grilled peaches or plums can add an intriguing sweet-savory twist. Thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant, quickly grilled for tenderness, would also be excellent additions. For a final touch of freshness and a peppery bite, a handful of fresh arugula or baby spinach can be added immediately after the pizza comes off the grill. The key is to embrace what’s ripe, vibrant, and abundant in your local area, allowing the season to guide your culinary creativity.

Remember, a homemade grilled pizza is always a fantastic idea for a fun, quick, and intensely flavorful meal, especially when you’re making the absolute most of fresh, peak-seasonal ingredients!

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Christelle’s Late-Summer Grilled Pizza Recipe

This fantastic Late-Summer Grilled Pizza showcases an abundance of fresh, peak-season produce, creating a vibrant and utterly delicious dish. Best of all, it cooks up in mere minutes on your barbecue, making it the perfect, easy-to-prepare meal to savor the last sweet days of summer. Enjoy a crispy crust loaded with colorful toppings and irresistible flavor!

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:5 minutes mins

Resting Time:45 minutes mins

Servings 2 small pizzas, or 1 large.

Author Marie Asselin (Recipe by Christelle Tanielian)

Ingredients for Late-Summer Grilled Pizza

For the Homemade Pizza Dough

• 1/2 cup (125 ml) warm water (about 105-115°F or 40-46°C, crucial for yeast activation)
• 1 tsp (5 ml, or 4 g) active dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) sugar (feeds the yeast, helping it bloom)
• 2 cups (500 ml, or 250 g) all-purpose flour, or white spelt flour (for a tender yet crisp crust)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) salt (enhances flavor and controls yeast activity)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) plain yogurt (adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle tang)
• Olive oil (for oiling bowl and brushing crust before grilling)

For the Fresh & Flavorful Toppings

• 1 small clove garlic minced (for infusing the olive oil)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil (for brushing the grilled crust)
• 1 1/4 cups (310 ml, or 125 g) grated Jarlsberg cheese (or substitute with real mozzarella di buffala or a blend of your favorite melting cheeses)
• 4 small black figs (about 1/4 lb., or 100 g, thinly sliced for vibrant sweetness and texture)
• 6 thin slices of Spanish cured sausage (halved, for a rich, savory touch; entirely optional for a vegetarian version)
• 2 cups (500 ml) multicolored cherry tomatoes, halved (adds bursts of fresh flavor and eye-catching color)
• 1 small fresh ear of corn (grilled on the barbecue for smoky sweetness, then kernels removed)

To Serve (Optional Garnishes & Seasoning)

• Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves (for a bright, herbaceous finish; or substitute with fresh basil)
• Fleur de sel (or flaky sea salt, for a delicate crunch and enhanced flavor)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste, for a subtle spicy kick)

Step-by-Step Grilling Instructions for Perfect Pizza

• 1. Prepare the Pizza Dough: Begin by activating your yeast. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the warm water (ensure it’s lukewarm, approximately 105-115°F or 40-46°C, which is warm to the touch but not hot) with the active dry yeast and the sugar. Stir these ingredients gently, then set the mixture aside to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll know your yeast is active and healthy when the surface of the liquid becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is alive and ready to work.
• 2. Knead the Dough: While the yeast is activating, preheat your oven to a very low 210°F (100°C) and then immediately turn it off. This creates a perfectly warm, draft-free environment ideal for dough rising. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose or white spelt flour and the salt. Create a deep well in the center of the flour mixture, then pour in the activated yeast mixture. Add the plain yogurt. Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly, then transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it vigorously for about 5-7 minutes. The goal is to achieve a smooth, elastic consistency that is only slightly sticky to the touch. This crucial step develops the gluten, which is essential for a chewy yet tender pizza crust.
• 3. Allow the Dough to Rise: Form the kneaded dough into a neat ball and transfer it to a lightly oiled, heat-proof bowl, turning it once to ensure it’s coated with oil on all sides. This prevents it from sticking. Cover the bowl securely with a clean, damp towel to prevent the dough from drying out. Place the bowl into the turned-off, preheated oven and close the door. The residual warmth inside the oven will provide an excellent environment for the dough to rise more quickly and efficiently. Let the dough rise for approximately 30 minutes, or until it has visibly doubled in size.
• 4. Prepare the Garlic Oil: While your pizza dough is rising to perfection, prepare your aromatic garlic oil. In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the minced garlic. Stir these ingredients well to combine and set aside. This infused oil will add a wonderful, savory depth of flavor to your grilled pizza crust, enhancing the overall taste.
• 5. Preheat and Prepare Your Grill: Preheat your barbecue to high heat. It’s important to allow it to preheat for at least 10 minutes to ensure an even and intensely hot cooking surface, which is key for a crispy crust. Once hot, carefully clean the grill grates if necessary, then lightly oil them thoroughly with a high-smoke-point oil (like canola or vegetable oil) to prevent the pizza dough from sticking. This step is crucial for achieving those characteristic crispy grill marks and ensuring easy removal.
• 6. Shape the Pizza Crusts: Once the dough has proudly risen, gently punch it down to release the trapped air. Divide the dough into two equal portions if you’re making two smaller individual pizzas, or keep it whole if you prefer one large pizza. Place one portion on a lightly floured work surface. Using your hands or a rolling pin, gently press and stretch the dough into a free-form crust of your desired shape and thickness (typically around 1/4 inch thick). Avoid making it excessively thin, as it can be difficult to handle and prone to tearing on the hot grill. Repeat this process for the second crust if applicable.
• 7. Grill and Assemble the Pizzas: Carefully transfer the shaped pizza crusts directly onto the preheated and well-oiled barbecue grates. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side, or until the underside is beautifully golden-brown and shows distinct, appetizing grill marks. The crust should be firm enough to handle easily with tongs. Using your tongs, carefully flip the crusts over. Immediately brush the grilled side with your prepared garlic-infused olive oil and generously sprinkle with the grated Jarlsberg cheese. Artfully arrange the thinly sliced fresh figs evenly over the cheese. Close the lid of the barbecue for approximately 2 minutes (or slightly longer if needed), allowing the cheese to melt perfectly and the crusts to cook through and become delightfully crispy. The closed lid helps to circulate heat, mimicking an oven environment and melting the cheese more quickly and evenly.
• 8. Garnish and Serve Immediately: Once the cheese is bubbly and melted and the crust is cooked to your liking, carefully remove the grilled pizzas from the grill and transfer them to a clean cutting board or serving platter. Now for the final flourish! Garnish generously with the halved Spanish cured sausage slices (if using), the vibrant multicolored cherry tomatoes, the sweet kernels of grilled corn, and a shower of fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves. Finish your masterpiece with a delicate sprinkle of fleur de sel (or flaky sea salt) and a generous grinding of fresh black pepper to taste. Serve your sensational Late-Summer Grilled Pizza immediately while it’s hot and the flavors are at their peak. Enjoy this delicious celebration of summer’s bounty!
• Recipe Credit: This exceptional Late-Summer Grilled Pizza recipe was thoughtfully created and generously shared by the talented Christelle Tanielian.

Did you make this amazing Late-Summer Grilled Pizza?

We’d absolutely love to see your creations and hear about your experience! Tell us how you liked it by leaving a comment below. Even better, snap a picture of your beautiful grilled pizza and share it on Instagram, tagging it with @foodnouveau. Your culinary adventures inspire us and the entire Food Nouveau community!

Why Grilled Pizza is a Summer Must-Have for Every Enthusiast

There’s something truly magical and uniquely satisfying about grilling pizza that elevates it beyond its oven-baked counterpart. The intense, direct heat of the barbecue cooks the dough incredibly fast, often in just minutes, resulting in a crust that’s wonderfully crisp on the outside and delightfully chewy on the inside, with those coveted char marks that add a complex, smoky depth of flavor. This quick cooking time also means significantly less heat in your kitchen during those sweltering summer days, making it an ideal outdoor cooking activity that keeps you cool and comfortable. Furthermore, grilling allows for incredible versatility; you can cook individual pizzas, giving everyone a chance to customize their own toppings to personal perfection, or effortlessly create one large, shareable masterpiece that feeds a crowd. It’s an interactive and fun way to cook, perfect for casual family gatherings, backyard parties, or simply a relaxed evening entertaining friends on a warm summer night. The experience of cooking outdoors, combined with the delicious results, makes grilled pizza an undeniable summer staple.

The Undeniable Beauty and Benefits of Late-Summer Produce

This Late-Summer Grilled Pizza recipe is a true ode to the peak of summer, a precious time when local gardens and farmers’ markets are bursting with the season’s finest, most flavorful bounty. Figs, at their peak ripeness, offer a unique, honeyed sweetness and a delicate, jammy texture that pairs surprisingly well with savory ingredients, creating a sophisticated flavor contrast. Cherry tomatoes, with their vibrant spectrum of colors (from bright reds and yellows to deep purples) and their juicy burst of concentrated flavor, are a world away from their often-pale, less flavorful winter counterparts. And fresh corn, sweet and tender right off the cob, adds a delightful crunch and natural sugar that truly sings with the smoky crust. Utilizing these fresh, seasonal ingredients when they are at their absolute best not only profoundly enhances the flavor profile of the pizza but also supports local agriculture, promoting sustainable and environmentally conscious eating. When produce is in season, it’s typically more flavorful, significantly more nutritious, and often more affordable, allowing you to truly experience the taste of the season. This grilled pizza truly lets these star, peak-season ingredients shine, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.

So, fire up your grill and get ready to transform simple, wholesome ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience. This Late-Summer Grilled Pizza is more than just a meal; it’s a delicious celebration of good food, cherished good company, and the lingering, warm embrace of summer before autumn arrives. We encourage you to experiment with your favorite seasonal toppings and make this recipe your own!

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