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Do y’all remember that carnitas recipe I shared a couple of weeks ago? Well, I do believe that I promised you a solution to the leftovers.
First, you grab one of those dry ice packs that fancy people use for shipping cold food. Then you pack that, along with the leftover carnitas, into a box. Next you drop it off at the post office and have the leftovers shipped directly to me.
Problem solved!
Fine. Whatever. I’m scared of the post office too. I don’t have too many phobias, but bugs/spiders and the post office are up there at the top of the list, if you must know. So, I won’t blame you if you are also frightened of the post office and would rather just eat your leftovers yourself. It’s completely selfish of you, but I guess I can sort of understand.
You’ll probably have a hard time not just eating the leftover meat in tacos, because honestly, those carnitas are fabulous, right? If you can manage it, though, try this Carnitas Pizza. The dough is super simple to whip up and is really quite quick for a yeast dough!
I topped the dough with a nice layer of salsa verde, a couple handfuls of grated monterey jack (though pepper jack would be very nice too), and lots of meat. I also threw in some sauteed onions and peppers for extra flavor. This pizza was phenomenal and I hope you’ll give it a try!
Carnitas Pizza
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 3/4 cup warm water about 110 degrees
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the toppings:
- 1/2 cup salsa verde or more to taste
- 2 handfuls Monterey or pepper jack cheese
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1-2 cups leftover Carnitas to taste
Instructions
- To prepare the dough, place the warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the yeast and sugar on top and let bloom, about 10 minutes.
- Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture and turn the mixer (fitted with the dough hook) to medium. Knead until the dough comes together to form a smooth dough. Remove dough to an oiled bowl and place in the oven with the light turned on.
- Let rise for one hour, or until doubled in bulk.
- Heat a medium skill over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Add the onion and peppers to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and beginning to brown, about 5-10 minutes. Set aside.
- When the dough has doubled, punch it down.
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
- Roll the dough out on a well floured surface to a 12 inch circle and place on a pizza stone or pan.
- Spread the salsa verde in a thin layer of the dough, adding more salsa verde if desired. Sprinkle with the cheese and top with the meat and vegetables.
- Bake on the middle rack for 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the crust are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh Karly. This is calling my name. Can’t you hear it? It’s begging me to make it for dinner. ๐
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
Carnitas + pizza dough = perfect food. The only thing I’d add here? Crema fresca after it comes out of the oven. Because all Mexican food is better with cheese and sour cream.
Dalila G. says
Hey Karly! ๐
Just checked out the site you directed me to….it’s great!!
It answered some of my questions….*THANK YOU*…….you rock!
I have all the ingredients I need, I’m all set and ready for tomorrow. I was going to make it this weekend, but I figured, why wait?!
Have a great evening! ๐
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
Oh, I want this now. Sadly, I have no carnitas leftovers either in my fridge or en route via the scary post office . . .
But I do have salsa verde, because I overcame my fear of tomatillos in the farm share and put some up in the fall.
So, next time I *do* have carnitas leftovers, I sure will make this. It looks amazing.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
This is such a great idea. I want a whole pizza to myself.
Tricia says
This is so funny, I did this with my leftovers! ๐ It was so yummy.
fras says
nice post
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
like I just told you on facebook, I love you. Karly ooooooomg I need to make this STAT. Pretty sure this is the best pizza… ever.
Joanne says
I HATE going to the post office. So yeah…I’ll take this pizza instead!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Serious;y never had a leftover carnitas problem ๐ But I would MAKE leftovers just for this purpose. mmmmmmm
Jesica says
Girl. You are scared of the post office? LOL
Secondly. OMGAWD THIS PIZZA. I NEED IT!
Karly says
No. I am not scared of the post office. Terrified would be a better description.
Nicole, RD says
Good carnitas can be good any which way…love this!
Dalila G. says
Loved your Carnitas recipes, we had NO LEFTOVERS that day!
Plan on making another batch for more tasty tacos and gorditas, but I will be separating some of the meat to try this pizza recipe.
Just one quick question……I live in a high altitude area, do I need to make any adjustments to the dough for this little problem?
Thanks!!
Karly says
We didn’t have leftovers after our first batch either. We ate the heck out of those carnitas! ๐
Since then I’ve had to separate it out, too. Totally worth it for this pizza!
As for the high altitude, I’m afraid I have no experience with that. I did find this article, though. http://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-Bread-Recipes-for-High-Altitude
Hope that helps!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I have enough phobias for everyone! Don’t even get me started….
This pizza looks amazing. I wish I had a slice RIGHT NOW!!!!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Carnitas on a pizza? Wow, you just created the BEST pizza, ever!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
I already love you for sharing the Carnitas recipe in the first place….it was SO GOOD!! And now when I make them again this week I’ll have something to do with the leftovers (besides eating them for breakfast ;))