A few weeks ago the Cooking Channel has had a bunch of shows about pizza. I was in heaven. I love pizza: traditional, thin crust, tomato-based, dessert…I could pretty much eat anything on pizza dough and enjoy it. Since watching, I have been dreaming up new pizza concoctions . Pizza is one of the easier dinners for me to throw together after coming home late from class.
This was my first pizza creation at home, based on a the pizette I tried at the cheesecake factory. The beginning of what I refer to as the year of the pizza.
BLUE CHEESE, PEAR, & FIG PIZZA
From Cinnamon Freud, Inspired by the Cheesecake Factory
INGREDIENTS
Pizza Dough:
1 package active yeast
2/3 cup warm water
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Toppings:
Herbed goat cheese, softened
Pear, sliced
Dried figs
Red onion, sliced
Blue cheese crumbles
Herbes de Provence
DIRECTIONS
Dissolve yeast in warm water, allowing to sit at least 10 minutes.
Combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and mix together until a soft dough forms. Knead for for at least 5 minutes on a floured surface. Transfer to pizza stone, allow to rise at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 475°F.
Heat 1-2 cups of water in a microwave for 2 minutes. Soak dried figs in water for at least 10 minutes. Remove, dry. Slice figs. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté red onions until tender, about 5 minutes.
Roll out pizza dough to desired thickness. Spread goat cheese in thin layer. Top with pear, figs, red onion, and blue cheese. Sprinkle with herbes de provence. Bake for 10-15, until edges of crust turn golden brown.
Serves 2-4.
cinnamon freud 