- Midnight Spinach Pizza

Dear Fans of Hounds Who Cook,

It is I, Guthrie, the Gute. After a good nap this afternoon and evening, I awoke to realize my Person had eaten nearly nothing all day, working as she was on her computer and intermittently piling up goods for the garage sale tomorrow. So I saw the half-left can of tomato paste (after Eli's Sweet French Dressing) and thought I'd make a pizza. We had a Rustic brand crust, which we suspect is whole wheat, so it's a cinch to make a delectable and quick pizza for tonight or to warm up tomorrow at noon (when there's a lull in the scavangers).

Midnight Spinach Pizza
Me's Independent Rating: 3 of 3*

12-inch whole wheat pizza crust
3 oz. tomato paste (mighty healthy for Persons and hounds alike)
1-2 Tablespoons herbs: parsley, basil, etc.
sea salt to taste
2 cloves garlic
1/4 white onion
1-2 cups spinach leaves
6-8 oz. mozarella cheese (1-1/2 to 2 cups shredded)
1-2 oz. Parmesan or other hard cheese (1/4-1/2 cup shredded)

Preheat the oven to 450F and hope it is a cool night. Put the pizza stone right in now, if you're using one. Wait for the pizza itself if you are using only a flimsy pan.

You'll note how general the quantities are. It's because you can use up whatever you have. With a spatula, spread a thin layer of tomato paste atop the crust. Sprinkle liberally with basil, parsley, sea salt, and what have you. (Pepper, oregano...) Mince two cloves of garlic and sprinkle over crust. Chop a modicum of onion and distibute evenly over the crust as well. Cover with several layers of spinach leaves. Press down to be able to really pile it on. Cover with a great amount of mozarella (grated - it's a pup pun!), and top off with finely and freshly grated parmesan or hard cheese.

Use a pizza stone or pan and slide the laden crust into the hot, hot oven. Bake for 12 minutes, check, and cook 2 more minutes at a time until cheese is melted and beginning to brown.

Mmm. Keep away from canines since we can't have onions at all. (But we do love the smell of them on your breath.) I took the plate back to my chair to lick up all the stray cheese shreds.

Tips from Guthrie: Personally, I would forego the onion and replace it with something meaty in order to make a palatable pup dish. But this is what my Person had on hand for evening culinary pursuits.

Tips from Eli: A dog enjoys any recipe involving the grating of cheeses. There's so much tasty clean-up from the floor.

*Independent Ratings Key:
1 of 3 = mediocre, don't save the recipe, don't try it again
2 of 3 = has good potential but not extraordinary, give it one more chance before discarding
3 of 3 = best of all possible recipes for this item, save it in your treasured Best of All Possible Recipes box