The Vineyard specializes in gourmet and interesting foods. Culinary experiments are encouraged, if not demanded, especially in the summer. While restaurants strive to new heights, however, so do their prices. So here we’re going to take it back to simplicity. In the coming weeks we will be running a series of recipes for $5 or under per person. Priced locally, they are collected and made with the intention of being accessible to all Islanders. No caviar, no champagne. Included will be suggestions to dress them up or down. However, the base will always be a healthy, nourishing meal. We want to hear from you. Have a three-ingredient recipe that your grandma would break out for every family cookout? A snack that the kids devour after practice? Are you up to your ears in kale, and need to eat it up somehow? We’ll take suggestions on recipes, ingredients to feature, or ways to make this series better serve the Island community. Let us know: Email recipes@mvtimes.com.
Note: I purchased my ingredients at Stop and Shop in Vineyard Haven in late August. The pizzas are individual servings, so for number of servings I calculated the number of pizzas you could make before having to buy more ingredients.
Ingredients
Corn or flour tortillas (for the crust) $1.39
Mozzarella (1 ball per pizza) $4.50
Chicken sausage (1 link per pizza) $5.99
Basil pesto $5.29
Handful of arugula $2.99
Cherry tomatoes (5 per pizza) $4.29
Olive oil $3.49
Procedure
Prepare toppings. Cook sausages in a small bit of olive oil until they are firm and browned on the sides. Cut into bite-size pieces. Wash arugula. Slice cherry tomatoes in half.
Drizzle olive oil over tortilla on a baking sheet; don’t do too much, as the toppings will likely have more oil in them. Broil for a few minutes until lightly browned. Keep an eye on this, as it can be overdone quickly.
Remove the tortilla from the oven. Spread pesto and toppings over the tortilla, slicing the mozzarella over top. Broil quickly again until the cheese melts slightly.
Remove from the oven and serve.
By the numbers
Total Cost: $27.94
Servings: 5
Price per head: $5.59
Possible additions
Change out toppings for your favorites. Some recommendations:
Sautéed mushrooms, peppers, and cooked sausage
Red sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil leaves
Mushrooms, peppers, onions, roasted broccoli
