Pair homemade cilantro jalapeno pesto with roasted eggplant and you have a vegetarian naan pizza that will blow your mind!
When I was a kid, the only way my parents could get me to eat eggplant was to take me to a Greek restaurant and set an order of Moussaka in front of me. Maybe it was the cheesy layers, smothered in a creamy Bechamel sauce or maybe it was the hypnotic music and alluring moves of the belly dancers. Either way, I ate up that purple vegetable as though someone had bribed me with a backstage pass to a Duran Duran concert (I would have done anything for a chance to meet that dreamy Roger Taylor).
The next eggplant epiphany came when my husband and I started visiting Utah before moving here. We worked by day, took a hike on the local trails in the afternoon and often ended the day with a meal at Robert Redford’s beautiful Sundance resort. Sitting in the Owl Bar with a beer (him) and Bloody Mary (me), he always ordered the chicken tortilla soup, while I was consistently drawn to the penne pasta tossed with eggplant and a light rosemary and olive oil sauce. I was hooked.
When Maria of Two Peas and Their Pod and I decided to get together for a morning of shooting recipes and figuring out our new cameras (we’re both smitten with the Canon 7d), I set to work coming up with a lunch dish to share with my vegetarian friend. While Maria put together a beautiful salad, filled with all sorts of goodies (I won’t ruin the surprise – you’ll just have to see it on her blog), I worked on a simple lunch pizza, using whole wheat naan bread as the crust.
Now, of course you could use homemade naan (visit Prerna of Indian Simmer for an awesome tutorial) and you are welcome to use a non-whole wheat variety. It’s up to you. The most important parts of this pizza are the broiled eggplant and the flavorful pesto, made with cilantro, jalapeno pepper, garlic and lime juice.
The pesto is one I’ve made before to accompany flank steak or chicken, but it works beautifully on this pizza. When I made it at Maria’s house, I diligently toasted some sliced almonds to add to the pesto. However, when we were cleaning up at the end, I discovered them sitting in the pan, waiting patiently. The pesto was fantastic without them, but if you would like a little nuttiness added, use about 3 tablespoons of the toasted nuts to the mixture.
After snapping our photos and reheating the pizzas (because of course they had become cold while being photographed – the bane of a food bloggers’ family and friends existence), we sat down to our healthy, extremely tasty lunch. Since we had Maria’s lovely salad as well, we each only ate half of a pizza. However, if the pizza is going to be the only thing served, I would plan for one pizza per person.
Let me tell you, making and photographing recipes, while talking about blogging and life with a sweet friend (and playing with an adorable little baby boy) is a heck of a lot more fun than doing it by yourself. When you throw in good food – well, it just doesn’t get any better.
The vegetarian naan pizza recipe:
How to make the pesto:
In the bowl of a food processor or a blender, combine cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, salt and pepper. Pulse to roughly chop.
With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Blend until smooth.
Making the pizza:
Preheat the broiler. Set the rack 2 to 3 inches from the heat source.
Lay the eggplant pieces on a baking sheet lined with foil. Brush both sides of eggplant with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place eggplant under the broiler and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn! Let cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
Lower the oven rack to the middle setting and turn the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the naan pieces on an ungreased baking sheet.
Divide the pesto between the pieces of naan and spread evenly. Top with eggplant, overlapping the pieces slightly. Sprinkle with dried red chile flakes and top with mozzarella.
Place the pizzas in the oven and cook until cheese is melted and naan are starting to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes. Cut into strips and serve.
Other naan pizza recipes:
Chicken Pesto Artichoke Naan Pizza {Cookin’ Canuck}
BLT Naan Pizza {Cookin’ Canuck}
Asian Sesame Naan Pizza {Kim’s Cravings}
Tandoori Chicken Naan Pizza {Host the Toast}
Vegetarian Eggplant Naan Pizza with Cilantro Jalapeno Pesto
Ingredients
The pesto
- 1 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeno pepper
- 2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- pinch of salt
- pinch of pepper
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
The Pizza
- 1 medium eggplant cut into 1/3-inch slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pieces naan whole wheat or regular, store-bought or homemade
- 1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes
- 2 ounces fresh mozzarella thinly sliced
Instructions
The Pesto:
- In the bowl of a food processor or a blender, combine cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, salt and pepper. Pulse to roughly chop. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Blend until smooth.
The Ppizza:
- Preheat the broiler. Set the rack 2 to 3 inches from the heat source.
- Lay the eggplant pieces on a baking sheet lined with foil. Brush both sides of eggplant with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place eggplant under the broiler and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Watch it carefully so it doesn't burn! Let cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
- Lower the oven rack to the middle setting and turn the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the naan pieces on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Divide the pesto between the pieces of naan and spread evenly. Top with eggplant, overlapping the pieces slightly. Sprinkle with dried red chile flakes and top with mozzarella.
- Place the pizzas in the oven and cook until cheese is melted and naan are starting to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes. Cut into strips and serve.
Nutrition
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jaishree
this pesto recipe is superb ..in india we add peanuts/ grated fresh coconut in place of olive oil which u used and we call it chutney…chutney is companion food in our main dish..oil in peanut and coconut gives nice blend to this recipe
Ana Carolina
I’ve tried the recipe and it’s amazing! I only sub the pesto with marinara sauce cause I didn’t have cilantro at home. Thanks!!
Emily
This was so ridiculously tasty! Thanks for the recipe!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Emily, I’m so glad! Thanks so much for letting me know.
Julie
mmm….Bloody Marys at the Owl Bar. And of course, the pizzas look great too!
Aggie
I do wish I was in that kitchen with you two!! 🙂
I’m such a sucker for naan pizzas! They are so easy to make. Your pesto & that eggplant are giving me cravings. I love eggplant, will have to try this FOR SURE.
Jen at The Three Little Piglets
I was never a big fan of eggplant until I had really good eggplant parmesan with crispy fried eggplant underneath. I’ve been smitten ever since – but now I’ve learned to love it in all sorts of places!