Even though I currently reside in Wisconsin, home of the deep fried cheese curd, my Jersey roots still dictate that pizza is the ultimate comfort food. It brings coworkers together after a long day in the office and its aroma on Friday night brings joy to kids everywhere. It’s versatile, affordable, and just plain delicious. Growing up in a single-income immigrant family, it helped me fit in with the other American kids and was cheap and easy for my parents to obtain (especially through that Pizza Hut reading challenge). Looking back on my pizza eating career, the fact that nowadays the idea of an Asian pizza is not only unforeign but actually sought after is quite a testament to how we are becoming more globalized and culturally open-minded. I salute the pizza by featuring some yummy Vietnamese ingredients I once turned my nose up at. Enjoy!
Hoisin BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza (Serves 4)
• 4 pieces naan bread
• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 garlic bulb, roughly 10-12 cloves, minced
• 1 medium red onion, sliced into thin rings
• 2 cups hoisin sauce or 1 16oz jar
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 4 tbsp sriracha
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp water
• thai basil
1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Boil chicken breasts for 15 minutes.
2. Remove boiled chicken breasts and let dry for 5 minutes.
3. Using a fork, scrape the chicken breast into long strips.
4. For hoisin sauce, saute minced garlic in oil for 2 minutes until crisp. This step is my favorite – your kitchen will smell AMAZING. Make sure you are constantly stirring so the garlic doesn’t burn. Scoop aside 2 tablespoons of fried garlic for garnish.
5. Remove from heat and add hoisin sauce and sriracha. Add water to help thin out sauce.
6. Stir in shredded chicken and cook on low heat for 5-7 mintues.
7. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spoon chicken mixture evenly onto naan bread. Top with sliced onion and mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
9. Garnish with fresh chopped thai basil and remaining garlic crisps from step 4.
