Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Pizza is one of the world's favorite foods and has been around for hundreds of years. Even though the Italians take credit for this crusty culinary creation, Mexicans have been making their own version for even longer and it is the iconic dish of Oaxaca.

The tlayuda is a handmade, traditional Mexican food, which resembles a pizza. It consists of a large, crunchy, partially fried or toasted tortilla, covered with toppings and served with various sides of salsa. This popular snack originated in the state of Oaxaca. Tlayudas are also very popular in the cities of Puebla, Guadalajara, and Mexico City.

"They look like a pizza so this is my version of a Mexican Pizza," says Laura Gelezunas, Recipes & Real Estate host and Real Estate Agent with Ron Morgan Properties in Puerto Vallarta, "the masa gives them a wonderful taste and texture and the sauce and toppings can be varied."

Recipe: Mexican Pizza

Crust
• 2 cups masa
• 3/4 cup water

These amounts can vary greatly depending on the climate where it is being prepared. There needs to be enough water to hold the masa together so it forms a ball that can be rolled or pressed out. Too much water and the dough will be like glue, add too little and the dough won't hold together.

Roll or press dough out into a rough circle to a thickness of about 1/8" or you may want it thicker or thinner. These go onto a grill or in a pan lightly greased and cook until golden brown on a medium to low heat. The cooked crusts should be firm and you should be able to handle them.

Sauce
Any type of sauce will do. Try a molé, salsa Mexicana, salsa verde, make a creamy chipotle or use any type of bottled or home made sauce. Spread this over the crust.

Toppings
Mix and match cooked chorizo, cooked chicken, tomato, cooked shrimp, cooked flank steak, cabbage, bell peppers, corn, jalepeños, cooked bacon, mushrooms, caramelized onions and caramelized poblanos. Get creative and this is perfect for left overs, too. This is all smothered with Oaxaca cheese and finished under the broiler, in a pan with a lid or on the grill. Just cook until the cheese melts.

Real Estate: Tabachines 6 in Puerto Vallarta

This is a Mexican colonial style home in a gated community with ten other homes. It is located in Colonia Palmar de Aramara, which is conveniently located to nearby shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

Tabachines 6 is a charming one-level, two bedroom, two bath home, which also has a one bedroom, one bath casita. There lush gardens surrounding the house and large private swimming pool. There is also a covered grill area near the pool and a front covered patio that leads from the house to the two-car garage.

The large open living/dining area is the most inviting focal point of the home with a large well-designed kitchen complete with sit-down counter and large walk-in pantry.

The master bedroom has direct access to the back patio, pool and garden area.

The casita is a charming private unit facing the pool and gardens.

The property boasts a covered, separate service area with full-sized stackable washer/dryer and a large walk-in workshop/garden shed. All of this, plus solar panels so little to no electric bills.

For more information on this home, contact Laura Gelezunas at Ron Morgan Properties.

Ron Morgan Properties specializes in luxury real estate in the Marina Vallarta area and beyond to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita, as well as along the southern shores of Banderas Bay, from the Romantic Zone, Amapas and Conchas Chinas down to Mismaloya and even Costa Alegre. For more information, visit RonMorgan.net.

Click HERE to learn more about Ron Morgan Properties.