Now, you can definitely make your own homemade pizza crust...it is easy to do and there are tons of pizza dough recipes online and in cookbooks.  Lots of times, though, we just buy a shell.  (Audible gasp heard) Yes, I said it, we buy a shell. 

One brand of pizza shell we like is Rustic Crust, but you can buy a Boboli or whatever you prefer.  The Rustic Crust turns out slightly chewy and we like it that way.  Probably because I don't cook it according to the package.  I don't put it directly on the rack in the oven.  I place mine on a pizza stone.  It's just the way I roll.  I also like that it has just a few ingredients - nothing funky. Definitely experiment with crusts and be willing to try different ones out, including your own homemade recipe.   

Obviously, one of the great things about pizza is that you can have whatever toppings that suit your fancy or spark your tastebuds. 

One Vegetarian Combo that we enjoy is a No Sauce, Roma Tomato, Mushroom and Basil Pizza. 

In a sauté pan, sauté in olive oil some mixed (or unmixed) mushrooms - baby bellas, button, shitake, whatever kind of mushrooms you like - and minced garlic...with salt to taste.  I usually use anywhere from 2 - 3 C of sliced mixed mushrooms for one pizza.  Cook until the mushrooms are soft (done.) 

Next brush the pizza shell with a good olive oil to the crust. 

If you like, you could mince some fresh garlic and rub it all around the oiled shell.

Next slice some Roma tomatoes (usually about 2 to 4 Romas) and place the slices all over the shell.  I will slice one Roma, place the slices, then slice another, place the slices... and so on, until I have the perfect amount for whatever size shell I am using. 

Then, put the mushroom mixture on top, spreading evenly around. 

Top with mozzarella Cheese, I use at least 2 C of cheese and finish with fresh basil leaves scattered on top... you can leave the leaves whole or stack, roll and cut the leaves with kitchen shears - which results in pretty "ribbon" pieces.

Place the pizza in the oven and cook either according to the directions or however you feel comfortable. 

Sometimes we add artichokes, sundried tomato, olives, prosciutto ham or whatever sounds good to us that evening.  If you like sausage, cook up some turkey Italian sausage or sundried tomato basil chicken sausage and crumble that on top. Of course, then it won't be vegetarian, but it will still be tasty.

Way too super easy and very yum indeed - Cheers!

Would love to hear your favorite POW combinations... please share!