Nothing Says 'I Love You' Liked Heart-Shaped Grilled Pizza

Taking your sweetheart out to a fancy restaurant on Valentine's Day might seem like the perfect way to express your love and admiration. There's no denying that your thoughtfulness and readiness to splurge are commendable. However, after a few years together, a more intimate and personal gesture often means much more than a formal dinner. While a casual meal at a local eatery is a decent alternative, it doesn't quite capture that special, homemade charm.

Perhaps the most heartfelt way to say "I Love You" is by cooking a delicious, comforting meal from scratch. The following heart-shaped grilled pizza recipe and tips could be the ideal surprise for your Valentine's Day celebration.

Homemade Heart-Shaped Pizza on the Grill

If you're aiming to hit your loved one's heart—or stomach—with a romantic gesture, grilled pizza demands attention to detail. Having a high-quality PGS Grill can make all the difference in creating a perfectly crisp crust with amazing toppings. This is largely thanks to the advanced technology integrated into the Moon Rok briquettes, heat stability, and other accessories. We'll dive into a few grilled pizza tips later. For now, let's focus on crafting an exceptional dough.

Gather Ingredients for Pizza Dough

• 2 ½ cups of warm water
• ¼ cup of granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons of salt
• 3 teaspoons of yeast
• ¼ cup of vegetable oil
• 6 cups of all-purpose flour
• Cooking pan grease

Mix the water, yeast, and sugar thoroughly in a mixing bowl. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, then blend in the vegetable oil. In a separate bowl, combine the salt and flour. Gradually add this to the liquid mixture about half a cup at a time while stirring. The dough should be sticky when ready.

Grease a large bowl and place the dough inside, covering it and letting it rise at room temperature for 1 hour. Remove it and place it on a floured surface, beginning to stretch and roll it out. Divide it into three equal portions, each weighing around 1 pound. Refrigerate overnight and shape them into heart-shaped pizza bases on Valentine's Day.

Making a highly personalized grilled pizza on your PGS Grill means everything has to be perfect—and homemade. While the dough is rising on Valentine's Day, it might be worth it to whip up a flavorful pizza sauce that surpasses anything store-bought.

Gather These Pizza Sauce Ingredients

• 3 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, diced fine
• 2 teaspoons of onion powder
• 2 teaspoons of freshly chopped basil
• 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped oregano or ½ teaspoon dried
• 16 ounces of tomato sauce
• 4 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 6 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
• 2/3 cups of warm water
• Sea salt and ground black pepper, as needed

Heat the olive oil, garlic, onion powder, basil, and oregano in a large pot over your gas grill's side burner. Stir occasionally as the mixture simmers. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese and brown sugar, blending well. Once combined, incorporate the tomato sauce, paste, and water. Bring it to a gentle boil. Lower the heat on the side burner and season with sea salt and black pepper according to your taste. Stir and simmer for 60-90 minutes, or until the sauce reaches the desired consistency and flavor.

Valentine's Day Grilled Pizza Toppings to Consider

While many homemade pizza enthusiasts often stick to straight mozzarella, adding a variety of other cheeses can enhance both the flavor and texture. It's not unusual for Greek and Italian pizza places to include up to 25% cheddar, among others. Don't shy away from experimenting. Similarly, your Valentine's Day pizza can benefit from grilled toppings prepared while the sauce simmers. Consider slicing these items on a side shelf and grilling them for toppings.

• Grilled Onions
• Grilled Mushrooms
• Grilled Peppers
• Grilled Pineapple
• Sautéed Onions on a Side Burner
• Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Sausage
• Grilled Bacon

There are also plenty of unique toppings, and grilling gives you the chance to lock in their juicy flavors for your loved one. That said, the process of grilling pizza differs from baking in an oven. These pizza grilling tips could come in handy.

Tips for Preparing Perfect Grilled Pizza

Even seasoned outdoor grill enthusiasts can make mistakes when preparing pizza on their PGS Grill for the first time. As we all know, achieving a crisp and golden-brown crust while ensuring the rest of the dough cooks evenly is a challenge with any heat source. Grilling pizza is no exception. These tips can help make your Heart-Shaped Pizza a delightful experience.

• Indirect Heat: One common mistake that throws off pizza makers is burning the bottom or having it outpace the rest of the pie. A reliable method to avoid this is using indirect heat. By placing the pizza on a top shelf and sliding a pan underneath, you can deflect direct heat from the bottom and cook the entire pie simultaneously. This technique is frequently used in home ovens as well.
• Crisp the Bottom: An experienced pizza chef will often remove the pie from the pan and let it crisp from direct heat for just a moment or two. If you want a bit more crispness, do this, but only briefly to avoid burning.
• Keep the Lid Closed: The excitement of making that Valentine's Day grilled pizza might tempt you to check it too often. Be patient.

Alright, it's time to start the pizza grilling process. Lay out your pie on a greased pan, add sauce, toppings, and cheese. On medium heat, a pizza should take about 8 minutes. If your dough is on the thicker side, consider lowering the temperature and leaving it on the PGS Grill for up to 12 minutes. A good rule of thumb is to check it every 4 minutes. And, Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours.