Welcome to the start of the weekend! It is Pizza Friday and it is about time for a new pizza recipe here. I haven’t posted one in a while and a new produce season is just beginning. It is time to introduce some new toppings to the pizza!

Pears, oranges and cranberries are all in season right now. That’s probably why there are so many holiday recipes featuring these foods. Most times, these fruits are used in desserts, drinks, salads, or side dishes. They are also popular as subtle flavorings for main dishes. I’m going a bit further and putting pear slices on this week’s pizza. They (along with the caramelized onions) add a hint of sweetness to the sharp bite of the gorgonzola and the tang of the lemon dressed greens. Unusual & different, seasonal & great tasting. That’s perfect for our Friday night pizza heading into the last month of the year!

Pear, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola Pizza with Greens (based on a recipe from reciperunner.com)  Total Time required: 35 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 pear thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup gruyere, shredded
• 1/2 cup part skim mozzarella, shredded
• 1/4 cup gorgonzola, crumbled
• 3 slices (1 1/2 ounces) prosciutto, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 cups (2 ounces) arugula, baby kale or baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 450º F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or coat a baking stone with cornmeal.

Generously spray a medium sized skillet with cooking spray and heat it over medium high heat. Add the sliced onion and cook it until the onion softens and turns golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Roll the pizza dough out onto the sheet or stone.

Brush the teaspoon of olive oil over the top of the dough, then sprinkle on salt, pepper, and the fresh thyme. Sprinkle the shredded cheeses and gorgonzola crumbles all over the pizza. Add the pear slices and prosciutto.

Top the pizza off with the caramelized onions.

Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes or until it is bubbly and golden.

While the pizza bakes, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt & pepper. Continue whisking and add in the tablespoon of olive oil.

When it is thoroughly mixed, pour the dressing over the greens and toss it to coat.

Remove the pizza from the oven when it is bubbly & golden, distribute the dressed greens over the top and return the pizza to the oven for 2 minutes for the greens to wilt.

Remove the pizza from the oven and serve immediately.

Pears & greens make unusual but great pizza toppings!  ~Linda

Pear, Prosciutto, and Gorgonzola Pizza with Greens (based on a recipe from reciperunner.com)  Total Time required: 35 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 pear thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup gruyere, shredded
• 1/2 cup part skim mozzarella, shredded
• 1/4 cup gorgonzola, crumbled
• 3 slices (1 1/2 ounces) prosciutto, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 cups (2 ounces) arugula, baby kale or baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 450º F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or coat a baking stone with cornmeal.

Generously spray a medium sized skillet with cooking spray and heat it over medium high heat. Add the sliced onion and cook it until the onion softens and turns golden brown, about 10 minutes. Roll the pizza dough out onto the sheet or stone.

Brush the teaspoon of olive oil over the top of the dough, then sprinkle on salt, pepper, and the fresh thyme. Sprinkle the shredded cheeses and gorgonzola crumbles all over the pizza.

Place pear slices, prosciutto, and caramelized onions evenly over the top of the pizza. Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes or until it is bubbly and golden.

While the pizza bakes, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt & pepper. Continue whisking and add in the tablespoon of olive oil. When it is thoroughly mixed, pour the dressing over the greens and toss it to coat. Remove the pizza from the oven when it is bubbly & golden, distribute the dressed greens over the top and return the pizza to the oven for 2 minutes for the arugula to wilt. Remove the pizza from the oven and serve immediately.