## Chile Rubbed Shrimp Vera Cruz Pizza: A Delicious and Unique Main Dish
If you're looking to elevate your pizza game, try this chile-rubbed shrimp Vera Cruz pizza main dish! This recipe combines fresh, succulent shrimp with a zesty, herby blend that creates a delightful contrast of flavors. Follow these detailed steps for a memorable dining experience.
### Ingredients:
- 12 oz (340g) pizza dough
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Shrimp (about 8 oz or 225g), peeled and deveined
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
#### Preparing the Dough:
1. **Prepare Your Pizza Dough:** Start by kneading your pizza dough until it's smooth and elastic. If you don't have homemade dough, use store-bought.
2. **Let It Rise:** Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
#### Making the Spice Rub:
3. **Combine Seasonings:** In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create your chile rub.
4. **Rub Shrimp:** Brush the shrimp with olive oil, then generously season both sides with the spice mixture.
### Assembling the Pizza:
#### Preparing Vegetables:
5. **Prepare Vegetables:** While the dough is rising, chop all the vegetables into small pieces. Sauté the onion and peppers in a pan until tender.
6. **Add Seasoned Shrimp:** Once cooked, set aside to cool slightly before adding them to your prepared vegetables.
#### Building Your Pizza:
7. **Roll Out Dough:** Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to fit your desired pizza pan or baking sheet.
8. **Spread Mozzarella:** Spread shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough base.
9. **Add Vegetables:** Layer the sautéed vegetables and olives over the cheese.
#### Adding Shrimp:
10. **Place Shrimp:** Carefully place the chile-rubbed shrimp on top of the vegetables in a single layer.
11. **Bake Pizza:** Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
### Serving Suggestions:
12. **Slice and Serve:** Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing into wedges.
13. **Enjoy:** Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for an extra pop of color and flavor.
### SEO Tips:
- Include keywords such as "chile-rubbed shrimp," "Vera Cruz pizza," "mozzarella cheese," and "fresh vegetables" in the content to improve search engine rankings.
- Use subheadings, bullet points, and images to make your instructions more engaging for readers.
- Highlight health benefits like "rich in vitamins" or "packed with antioxidants" when discussing ingredients.
By following these steps, you'll have a delicious and unique chile-rubbed shrimp Vera Cruz pizza that's sure to impress your guests!