Carnitas Pizza with Chipotle-Avocado Crema

After making that beautiful pan of carnitas and enjoying some wonderful tacos, the question beckons about what to do with the leftovers.  That was easily solved on Heather's blog, All Roads Lead to the Kitchen, she suggested making pizza!  We were up for that.  It is an easy way to use leftovers and have a tasty dinner.

The best thing about pizza is that you may select your own toppings, so really....anything goes....and any amount is just fine!

Carnitas Pizza with Chipotle-Avocado Crema

adapted from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

Pizza dough of your choice

olive oil

1/2 onion sliced in half and thinly sliced

1/2 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced

1/2 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced

1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded and chopped

1 1/2 cups tomatillo salsa or salsa verde

12 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded

3 cups Carnitas, warmed

2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pickled banana pepper rings
1 avocado, cut into chunks
Chipotle-Avocado Crema (see below)

Preheat oven:  475° F.

Put a light coat of olive oil in the bottom of the pan.  Roll the dough to the appropriate size.  Set aside.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat 1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil.  Add the onion, bell peppers, jalapeño and sauté about 20-30 minutes until golden and caramelized.

Spread the salsa over the pizza dough, leaving about a 1-inch border all around.  Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, pickled banana peppers and sautéed vegetables evenly over the crust.

Bake in a preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cooked through and the cheese is bubbly.

When removed from the oven, immediately divide up the warm chunks of carnitas, green onion and avocado chunks over the pizza and then drizzle with the Chipotle-Avocado Crema.

Chipotle-Avocado Crema
2 chipotles in adobo sauce
1 avocado, pitted
1/2 cup Mexican crema
1 lime, juiced
kosher salt, to taste

In a blender combine chipotles, avocado, crema, lime juice and salt.  Puree until smooth.  Set aside.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

What a quick and easy dinner and a great way to use up leftovers in the refrigerator.  I can see this easily adapted....it's pizza....anything that you like goes!