Spotlight Ingredient: Pear
Featured Recipe: Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola Pizza with Arugula
Prep Time: 30 minutes, Cook Time: 25 Minutes, Total Time: 55 minutes
Serves: 2-3
Ingredients
Pizza:
- Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (enough for 1 large pizza or split for 2
individual sized pizzas)
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 1 firm Pear, thinly sliced
- 1/2 of a Red Onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tsp. Olive Oil
- 2 tsp. honey
- 1/ tsp. rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped Walnuts
Salad:
- 2-3 cups arugula
- juice of one Lemon
- 2 tsp. Olive Oil
- salt and pepper
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425°.
2. Spread out your pizza dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment
and paper and pre-bake for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the dough from the oven and press down the middle with a
fork so that there is a definite edge for the crust.
4. As the dough is baking, heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat
and some olive oil. Once the butter is melted, add the sliced onion.
Sprinkle with salt, and cook slowly, for about 10 minutes or until the onions
begin to caramelize.
5. Remove the onions from the pan and place the pan back on the stove.
Add olive oil. Add the pear slices to the oil and cook for just a few
minutes, until they start to soften up just a bit. Don't overcook them or they
will turn to mush! Remove from the pan.
6. Whisk together the honey, 2 tsp. olive oil, rice vinegar, and fresh thyme
in a small bowl.
7. Brush the pre-baked crusts with the olive oil mixture.
8. Start layering your ingredients, starting with the caramelized onions.
Next, the Gruyere, then the pear slices, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola.
Sprinkle the tops with the chopped walnuts.
9. Bake the pizzas for 12-15 minutes until the crust is beautifully golden, and
the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
10. Meanwhile, toss the arugula with the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
11. Serve the pizzas with the arugula salad piled on top.
* As a vegetarian option omit the prosciutto and substitute it with any toppings of your choice