Grilled pizza boats! Who knew!!?
Ever since I became a big girl and learned how to turn on our grill, a whole new world of summertime food opened up to me. I think I turned 38 that summer. I had always left certain tasks like that up to my husband – things like installing our window air conditioners, getting the oil changed in our car, and grilling meat.
Then one day I was like, dude it sure would be nice to get dinner cooked instead of waiting for Matt to get home and grill the meat. (The deep thoughts of a hungry 38 year old…)
So I prepared myself for a detailed lesson in propane and matches and safety and how to avoid setting the house on fire. Then Matt got home and showed me how to simultaneously turn a knob and push a button. Four seconds later, the grill was aflame.
Hmmm, thought I. I probably could have even learned that when I was as young as 37.
Don’t tease. Need I remind those of you who have been operating a grill since adolescence that some of us experienced trauma at age 17 which may or may not have involved a fire and the total destruction of a huge barn on my family’s property? Some of us have hated fire for a very, very long time. Some of us might have equated lighting a grill to lighting a barn on fire and watching it smolder for three to fourteen days. Some of us.
So now I’m 41 (and three quarters) and the grill is my best friend in the summertime. In my 3 years of grilling experience, I have not burned anything down – not our house, not someone else’s house, not even a barn.
Regarding food of many kinds: if I can grill it, I do. If I’ve never seen it grilled before, I try it. Anything to avoid turning on the oven on a hot day. Plus, grilled food is fun and special and it feels like a big deal to say, “we’re grilling chicken tonight” instead of simply saying, “we’re having chicken.” Right? Can’t you hear the difference?
So enter: Grilled Pizza Boats
Making pizza on the grill (the regular crust kind) is quite doable and very yummy. You can learn how to do that here. But that is a bit time sensitive and laborious (woe is me) so I rarely go to the trouble. Pizza Boats, however? Well this is absolutely too easy.
How to Make a Pizza Boat
Slice a loaf of French or Italian bread in half the long way (you know, like a boat). Top each half with your favorite pizza goodies. Bake in a 350° oven or on the grill until the cheese is melted (about 10 minutes).
It’s as easy as that.
In fact, it’s one of the easiest meals there is. Slice the pizza boats and serve them with salad and fresh fruit.
And then I just have to say it: Be sure you turn off your grill. I refuse to be the one responsible for any other fires, large or small. I’ve met my quota.
What are your favorite foods to grill?
Back in the day when my hubby used to work outside of the home, I would start the grill. Now that he works from home, he has deemed it his job again. I like the extra help with dinner, but I also think it’s important for us to know how to do some of the “manly” tasks around the house.
I make “french bread pizza” quite often around here, but I never thought to do it on the grill. Thanks for the suggestion! Happy grilling!
We don’t grill however I use my cast iron square griddle indoors for regular pizza all year round. I keep the flame low and have a dedicated stainless bowl that matches size that I turn upside down over it. Since it’s round and the griddle is square the lip holds it up enough and allows stream to escape so the pizza browns on the bottom but there’s no soggy mess, the cheese melts, the pepperoni is great. Works great with toasted cheese too.
Like your former self, only older, I have left the grilling to my husband and made my pizzas indoors. But with your inspiration (challenge?) I may have to make some changes to the summer supper routine around here! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Laura,
I made this recipe using Ciabatta bread from Aldi and it was so good. It is a wider, thinner loaf so not quite as bready as using french bread. We all liked it and I loved that it was a super quick lunch that all the kids at happily. Thanks for all you do!