People are Frying Pizzas!

A recent New York Times article turned us on to a hot new pizza trend, the Montanara Pizza, and it's fried! (Slideshow here.)

But, unlike the wacky fried pizza at the state fair, this isn't a whole pizza that's battered and then fried, just the crust. Once the dough has been fried to a golden brown, the sauce, cheese and toppings are added and the pizza hits the oven for a quick bake. The result is delicious, but definitely heavier than a typical Neapolitan-style pie.

We haven't had the chance to try one yet, but it should be easy to replicate since you just have to fry the dough in a pan or deep fryer. After that, since the crust will be packed with more fat than your average pie, we recommend topping it with lighter, healthier toppings. After searching for recipes to complement the Montanara, we found three that will add flavor without weighing you down:

Spring Pizza with Blood Orange, Arugula & Almonds (Food52)
Welcome spring with a host of creative ingredients.
Ingredients: Blood Orange, Arugula, Asparagus, Ricotta Cheese, Toasted Almond Slivers, Shredded Mozzarella

Heirloom Tomato & Basil Pizza (Williams-Sonoma)
This flavorful pizza highlights fresh tomatoes and fresh basil.
Ingredients: Mozzarella Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Salt, Pepper

West Coast Grilled Vegetable Pizza (Martha Stewart)
The West Coast knows their fresh veggies.
Ingredients: Avocado, Baby Spinach, Goat Cheese, Plum Tomatoes, Scallions, Red-Wine Vinegar


Now it's pizza-making time!

Any other favorite themes, ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section! You can also Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for recipes, tips and more.