Fire up the grill! This flatbread pizza recipe, topped with sweet, juicy berries, and creamy Fontina cheese has been sponsored by California Giant Berry Farms. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Experience Summer Flavors with Grilled Berry and Fontina Flatbread Pizza

Summer evokes images of sun-drenched days, vibrant outdoor gatherings, and the sheer delight of fresh, seasonal produce. Among nature’s sweetest offerings, sweet, juicy berries undeniably top the list, bringing a burst of color and flavor to every dish. There’s truly nothing more refreshing than indulging in plump berries as the weather warms, making them a cornerstone of delightful summer culinary adventures.

Beyond simple snacking, berries are incredibly versatile ingredients for summer entertaining. Their vibrant profiles lend themselves beautifully to a myriad of recipes, from thirst-quenching drinks and elegant sweet dessert tarts, to crisp salads and zesty salsas. For those who appreciate a harmonious blend of flavors, berries, especially when paired with creamy cheeses, reach a level of perfection that’s hard to beat. Their natural sweetness and subtle tartness create an exquisite contrast when combined with savory elements.

This year, a delightful new creation has taken center stage on my summer menu: the Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Berries, Fontina, and Arugula. This unique and flavorful recipe is an ideal choice for any casual gathering, whether it’s a laid-back picnic in the park or a sophisticated patio dinner. It’s designed to impress with minimal effort, allowing you to savor the season alongside your cherished guests.

Crafted with the naturally gorgeous and plump berries from California Giant Berry Farms, this sweet-savory flatbread promises to be the showstopper at all your summer soirees! The innovative combination of fruity sweetness, savory melted cheese, and a hint of peppery arugula creates an unforgettable taste experience that truly captures the vibrant essence of summer.

Crafting the Perfect Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Fresh Berries

The allure of a grilled flatbread lies in its incredible versatility and the unique smoky flavor imparted by the grill. This recipe for grilled berry flatbread pizza offers wonderful flexibility, allowing you to choose between preparing it with fresh, homemade pizza dough or opting for convenient store-bought options like Naan or pre-made flatbreads. Both methods yield equally delicious results, making it an ideal choice no matter how busy your summer schedule.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Dough: Your Choice for Deliciousness

When time allows, creating this flatbread pizza with homemade pizza dough is a truly rewarding experience. Grilling fresh dough imparts beautiful char marks and a distinct smoky flavor that beautifully complements the vibrant fresh berries. The texture of grilled homemade dough is also unparalleled, offering a delightful chewiness that contrasts wonderfully with the crisp exterior.

Grilling flatbread pizza with fresh dough differs slightly from traditional pizza preparation. For flatbread, the goal is a thinner, crispier crust that doesn’t puff up excessively, allowing the toppings to shine. Therefore, instead of hand-stretching the dough to create an airy crust, I recommend using a rolling pin to achieve a consistent thickness of about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Don’t worry if your flatbread isn’t a perfect circle or rectangle; its rustic, imperfect edges only add to its charm and homemade appeal.

To ensure the crust remains thin and crisp during grilling, a technique known as “docking” is essential. Simply prick the entire surface of the dough all over with a fork before placing it on the grill. This prevents the dough from puffing up too much and helps maintain an even, crispy texture. Once docked and shaped, grill the dough on both sides to achieve a golden-brown exterior and a slight char before adding your delicate toppings of cheese and berries. This crucial pre-grilling step is key to achieving that desirable crispness and ensuring a fully cooked base.

For those days when homemade dough isn’t feasible or time is of the essence, store-bought options like Naan bread or pre-made flatbreads are excellent alternatives. These ready-to-use bases significantly reduce prep time without compromising on flavor or texture. Simply brush them lightly with olive oil and grill for 1-2 minutes per side until warmed through and slightly crisp before adding your toppings. This shortcut allows you to enjoy a gourmet-tasting grilled flatbread with minimal fuss.

Perfecting Your Grilled Flatbread Pizza Toppings

When it comes to topping your grilled flatbread, a lighter hand with the cheese is absolutely key to maintaining a perfectly crisp crust. While a traditional pizza might call for a generous, thick layer of cheese, for flatbread, you want just enough cheese to provide a creamy, savory foundation for the sweet berries and peppery arugula, without weighing down the delicate crust. Fontina cheese, with its mild, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties, is an ideal choice for this recipe. It creates a beautifully gooey base that complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.

The true stars of this dish, of course, are the fresh berries. I personally love a vibrant mix of California Giant Berry Farms’ non-GMO strawberries and blackberries. Their natural sweetness and slight tartness create a fantastic balance with the savory cheese and rich balsamic reduction. However, feel free to get creative and customize your berry combination! Cal Giant’s sweet raspberries would add a delicate and slightly tart touch, while their plump blueberries always make for a delightful and classic choice, offering a subtle sweetness. Experiment with what’s freshest and most appealing at your local market; any combination will be delicious!

To truly elevate the flavors of the sweet berries, zesty arugula, and rich Fontina, a drizzle of homemade honey-balsamic reduction provides the perfect finishing touch. This intensely flavorful, sweet-tart glaze is surprisingly quick to prepare on the stovetop, requiring only about 10 minutes of gentle simmering until it thickens. The reduction adds a sophisticated depth and tang that will impress your guests and tie all the distinct elements of the flatbread together beautifully. Its glossy texture also adds an appealing visual element to the finished dish, making it look as exquisite as it tastes.

Enhancing Your Summer Gatherings with Fresh Berries

Berries are not only a delicious and healthy addition to any summer recipe, but their naturally vibrant red and blue hues make them incredibly festive for parties with a patriotic theme. Imagine serving this gorgeous flatbread pizza, adorned with a colorful medley of strawberries and blackberries, at your next Memorial Day or 4th of July picnic. It’s an eye-catching dish that tastes as good as it looks, embodying the celebratory spirit of summer.

Beyond being a star ingredient in dishes, berries also excel at adding both flavor and elegance to party beverages. A smart tip for keeping drinks perfectly chilled without diluting their taste is to freeze some of your California Giant berries beforehand. For larger strawberries, I recommend quartering them before freezing. These frozen fruit “ice cubes” can then be popped into iced tea, sparkling water, sangria, or your favorite fizzy cocktails. They not only keep your drinks refreshingly cold but also slowly release subtle berry flavors as they melt, enhancing the overall drinking experience. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective way to add a touch of sophistication and natural sweetness to your summer sips.

Consider setting up a fun and interactive DIY flatbread station at your next outdoor event. Grill the flatbread bases ahead of time to keep things smooth, then let guests assemble their own custom creations from a vibrant array of cheeses, fresh California Giant berries, peppery greens like arugula, and a selection of delicious drizzles, including the honey-balsamic reduction. This interactive approach encourages customization and provides an entertaining activity for everyone, making your party even more memorable.

Join the Fun: Skinny Dips for Summer with Cal Giant

To truly celebrate the abundance of the season, California Giant Berry Farms is once again hosting their popular Skinny Dips Sweepstakes! Last year, we thoroughly enjoyed participating in the fun with an irresistible Whipped Goat Cheese and Herb Dip, perfectly paired with fresh Cal Giant strawberry dippers. It was a delicious hit and showed just how versatile berries can be!

This year, you have the exciting opportunity to enter the sweepstakes once daily throughout the summer, until July 31, 2018. This gives you multiple chances to win one of four fantastic grand prizes. The coveted Pool Party Prize Packs are thoughtfully designed to elevate your summer fun, including a premium cooler to keep your drinks chilled, stylish tumbler cups ideal for poolside sipping, a versatile fruit and veggie dip tray perfect for healthy snacks, whimsical produce pool floaties, a giant swan float for ultimate relaxation, and valuable coupons from Cal Giant’s partners involved in the Skinny Dips promotion.

But the prizes don’t stop there! You can also enter for a chance to win one of four secondary prizes, each a generous $100 eGiftCard. Imagine all the delicious summer treats or essential BBQ supplies you could buy with that!

As an added bonus, every time you enter, Cal Giant will send you their exclusive Skinny Dips Summer Snacking Guide directly to your inbox. This comprehensive guide is packed with innovative recipes, useful tips, and plenty of inspiration to make your summer entertaining effortless, healthy, and absolutely delicious. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to win big and discover new, exciting ways to enjoy fresh berries all summer long! To enter, simply click HERE or on the image provided below.