SPICE UP SUMMER GRILLING WITH A PATIO PIZZERIA

CONTACTS:
Jennifer LaFrance                                                 Jennifer Walsh
McCormick & Company, Inc                                Weber Shandwick
410-527-6541                                                           312-988-2207                     
jennifer_lafrance@mccormick.com                 jwalsh@webershandwick.com

Any Way You Slice It...Grilled Pizzas Really “Deliver”Fun and Flavor

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (May 21, 2009) – Looking for inspiration beyond burgers and brats? Flavorful and fun, homemade pizzas offer a fresh twist on summer grilling. And don’t sweat it – with a few simple steps, grilled pizza can be done in a snap. Whether cooking for vegetarians or steak lovers, the new pizza recipe collection at www.grillmates.com can help transform any patio into an al fresco pizzeria.

“With endless combinations of Grill Mates Seasonings and Marinades along with a variety of different toppings, our new grilled pizza recipes are sure to please every palate,” said Adam Walker, Chef at McCormick®. “And what’s so great is the recipes are not only fun – they are fast, making it easy for anyone to create a grilled masterpiece.”

Whether entertaining the neighbors or preparing a quick weeknight meal, the McCormick Kitchens offer a few tips to get started: 

  • Quick pizza dough. Don’t have time to make pizza dough from scratch? Buy prepared pizza dough from your neighborhood pizza parlor; refrigerated or frozen dough; or ready-made crusts from the supermarket. 

  • Thin is in. Shape the dough into rounds or squares by stretching it by hand or using a rolling pin until each round is 12- to 14-inches wide and about 1/4-inch thick. 

  • Have fun and be creative. Get inspiration from the farmer’s market or reignite leftover chicken, ham or vegetables – all make great pizza toppings. The biggest rule of thumb is to have fun and don’t overthink it! 

  • Flavor is king. Nothing makes pizza taste better than the right mix of spices and seasonings. From mesquite to citrus to barbecue, Grill Mates® Seasonings, Marinades, and Rubs help make any grilled pizza a masterpiece.

Fire up the grill and try these hot new pizza recipes. Take advantage of seasonal produce with a Zesty Veggie Pizza that combines a variety of colorful bell peppers, zucchini and fresh ricotta and mozzarella. For a luau-themed pizza party, seafood lovers will enjoy the Baja Shrimp Grilled Pizza, topped with shrimp and pineapple. The Steak Lover’s Pizza, with onions and bell peppers, is a delicious play on steak fajitas or stir fry. For a fun take on a classic main course salad, make the Grilled Chicken Caesar Pizza, topped with Romaine lettuce and Parmesan cheese.

Find these recipes, tips and an online pizza grilling video at www.grillmates.com (available June 10, 2009). 

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