Gourmet Blue Cheese and Fig Delight Pizza
Indulge in the irresistible combination of creamy blue cheese and sweet figs, giving a gourmet twist to your classic pizza experience. Inspired by a delightful restaurant in the Bay Area and shared among friends, this version elevates flavors to new heights by eliminating sausage, allowing the harmonious balance between the tangy cheese and luscious figs to shine through. Topped with a fresh sprinkle of radicchio and fragrant rosemary, this artfully crafted pizza is not just a meal; it's a culinary experience that will impress your diners and leave them craving more.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
pizza dough
1 (store-bought, such as Trader Joe's)
radicchio or arugula
1/2 cup (coarsely chopped)
blue cheese
1/3-1/2 cup (crumbled)
mozzarella cheese
1 cup (grated)
garlic cloves
2 (diced)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking and brushing)
fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Italian sausage
1 (optional, uncased and crumbled)
dried mission figs
10-12 (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure a perfectly crisp crust.
2
In a medium frying pan over medium heat, drizzle a dash of olive oil. If you're including sausage, uncasing it and breaking it into small pieces directly into the pan. Sauté for about 7 minutes, until fully cooked and browned. If not using sausage, simply omit this step.
3
While the sausage cooks, roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your preferred shape and thickness.
4
Once the dough is ready, transfer it onto a baking sheet or pizza stone. Brush a thin layer of olive oil over the surface, then evenly distribute the diced garlic.
5
Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese generously over the dough, followed by the crumbled blue cheese.
6
If using sausage, distribute the cooked pieces evenly, then add the bite-sized pieces of dried mission figs.
7
Finish by sprinkling the chopped radicchio and fresh rosemary over the top, enhancing flavor and visual appeal.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust turns a lovely golden brown.
9
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary flavor profile of the Gourmet Blue Cheese and Fig Delight Pizza?
The pizza features a gourmet balance of tangy, creamy blue cheese and luscious, sweet dried mission figs, accented by fragrant rosemary and bitter radicchio.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C) to ensure the pizza crust becomes perfectly crisp.
Can I make this pizza vegetarian?
Yes, the recipe is naturally vegetarian if you omit the optional Italian sausage. Eliminating the meat allows the blue cheese and figs to be the stars of the dish.
What kind of pizza dough is recommended?
The recipe suggests using one package of store-bought dough, such as the version available at Trader Joe's.
How long does the pizza need to bake?
The pizza typically bakes for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust has turned a golden brown.
What type of figs should I use?
Dried mission figs are used for this recipe, cut into bite-sized pieces before being placed on the pizza.
How much blue cheese is needed?
You should use between 1/3 and 1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese, depending on your preference for its strong flavor.
Is there a substitute for radicchio?
If you do not have radicchio, you can use arugula as a fresh, peppery alternative.
What is the purpose of the olive oil in this recipe?
Olive oil is used for two purposes: sautéing the optional sausage and brushing a thin layer over the dough before adding toppings.
How should the garlic be prepared?
Two cloves of garlic should be finely diced and distributed evenly over the olive oil-brushed dough.
If I use sausage, how do I cook it?
Uncase the Italian sausage, break it into small pieces, and sauté it in a pan with olive oil for about 7 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
What herbs are included in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of fresh, chopped rosemary to enhance the fragrance and flavor profile.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
One cup of grated mozzarella cheese is used to provide a meltable, mild base for the stronger blue cheese.
Where did the inspiration for this pizza come from?
The recipe was inspired by a restaurant in the Bay Area and was later shared and refined among friends.
How should I prepare the dough surface?
You should roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your preferred shape and thickness to prevent sticking.
What cooking equipment is needed for the dough?
Once the dough is rolled out, it should be transferred onto a baking sheet or a pizza stone for the oven.
Should I let the pizza cool before eating?
Yes, it is recommended to let the pizza cool slightly after removing it from the oven before slicing and serving it warm.
How many figs are needed?
The recipe specifies using 10 to 12 dried mission figs.
Can I use fresh rosemary or must it be dried?
The recipe specifically calls for fresh rosemary for its aromatic properties.
What is the order of cheese application?
Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese generously over the garlic-topped dough first, followed by the crumbled blue cheese.
Is this a good recipe for a quick dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy dinner' and a 'one dish meal,' making it suitable for a relatively fast gourmet experience.
How do I prep the radicchio?
The 1/2 cup of radicchio (or arugula) should be coarsely chopped before being sprinkled over the pizza.
Does the recipe provide nutritional information?
The current recipe details do not provide specific calorie, fat, or carbohydrate counts.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 9 ingredients, including the optional Italian sausage.
When should the radicchio be added?
The radicchio and fresh rosemary are added last, right before the pizza goes into the oven.
What should the cheese look like when done?
The cheese should be bubbling, indicating it is fully melted and integrated with the other ingredients.
Is the garlic applied before or after the cheese?
The diced garlic is applied directly to the olive-oil-brushed dough before the cheeses are added.
What size should the figs be?
The figs should be cut into bite-sized pieces to ensure they are evenly distributed and easy to eat.
Can I use different types of blue cheese?
While the recipe just says blue cheese, you can use Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton depending on your preferred intensity.
Is this recipe suitable for entertaining guests?
Yes, it is described as an 'artfully crafted pizza' designed to impress diners and provide a culinary experience.