Cat's Ladder Recipe
Roasted red pepper, mushroom, courgette, semi dried tomato, goat's cheese, rocket leaves and mozzarella cheese on basil pesto sauce
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Ingredients
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Base & Sauce
Vegetables & Toppings
Cheeses & Finish
Seasoning
Method
Base & Sauce
preheat and prepare dough
Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If you use a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating. Lightly flour your work surface and stretch or roll the 1 lb dough into a 12–14 inch oval or rectangle (Cat's Ladder shape), about 1/4" thick. Transfer to a pizza peel or a parchment-lined baking sheet.
apply pesto
Brush the dough lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil, leaving a 1/2" border. Spread 6 tablespoons basil pesto evenly over the dough, leaving the border clear.
Vegetables & Toppings
prepare courgette and mushrooms
If using a raw courgette, slice it very thin lengthwise (use a mandoline if available). Toss the sliced courgette and mushrooms with a pinch of salt (about 1/8 tsp) and 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to season and help them roast evenly.
arrange roasted pepper and semi-dried tomatoes
Lay the roasted red pepper strips and semi-dried tomato pieces across the pesto-covered dough in parallel rows or a ladder-like pattern (this creates the 'Cat's Ladder' look). Distribute them evenly so every slice will get a mix of vegetables.
add courgette and mushrooms
Tuck the seasoned courgette slices and mushroom slices between and alongside the pepper/ tomato rows. Keep the topping layer even but not overcrowded so everything will roast rather than steam.
Cheeses & Finish
add cheeses before baking
Dot 3 oz crumbled goat cheese evenly over the topped pizza. Scatter 6 oz torn fresh mozzarella across the surface, leaving some gaps so the vegetables show through. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian herbs and the measured black pepper and salt over the top. If you like heat, sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
bake
Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10–14 minutes, rotating once after 6–8 minutes if your oven cooks unevenly, until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbling. Baking time may vary with oven and thickness of dough.
finish with rocket and parmesan
Remove pizza from oven and immediately scatter 1 cup fresh rocket leaves on top so they wilt slightly but remain bright. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan if using. Let the pizza rest 2 minutes, then slice into 6–8 pieces and serve.