When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like A Big Pizza Pie, That's A Dinner...

Pizza Night!  I perfected last weekend's dismal yet edible ranch pizza, and I also decided to make a 2nd pie topped with figs, shredded prosciutto, and smoked mozzarella.  Yes, I made two trips to the store, and yes, both were worth it! 

I do have my mom's recipe for pizza dough, but when you're in a hurry and haven't planned in advance, Whole Foods sells pre-made dough.  Each 1lb. package will make two 12-inch pies.  You can buy it fresh or frozen, but honestly, if you're going to wait for frozen you might as well make your own.  You can cook the pizzas on a cookie sheet, or you can buy a pizza pan with holes in the bottom, which will help you achieve a more evenly cooked crust. 

Ranch Pizza
1/2lb. pizza dough
cornmeal
2-4T. ranch dressing
1-2c. shredded mozzarella
4-6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
6 thin slices fresh tomato

Preheat oven to 465.  Stretch the dough out so that it forms a thin circle.  Sprinkle cornmeal on the bottom of the baking dish, then place the dough on the cornmeal, stretching it thin to create an approximately 12" diameter crust.  Brush the uncooked crust with the ranch dressing, then top with the shredded mozzarella, bacon crumbles, and tomato slices.

Bake the pizza for 14-16 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden.  When it is done, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes, then slice into six slices so that each slice contains one tomato.  Enjoy! 

Fig, Prosciutto, and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza
1/2lb. pizza dough
cornmeal
olive oil
1c. smoked mozzarella
4 slices prosciutto, shredded or sliced into 1/4" strips
3 fresh figs, each cut lengthwise into four slices, as shown

Prepare the pizza dough as directed in the Ranch Pizza recipe.  Brush the uncooked crust with a thin coat of olive oil, then top with the smoked mozzarella and shredded prosciutto.  Next, arrange the fig slices in a decorative pattern, either as shown in picture, or create your own.  It should look like an edible kaleidoscope.




Bake the pizza as directed above, and once it is cooked, slice into 6 pieces so that each slice contains two figs. 

When making pizzas, the possibilities are endless.  If you have leftover roasted garlic, combine it with some olive oil to form a paste and top with a mixture of Italian cheeses.  Roasted red peppers would go well with  mozzarella, mild Italian sausage crumbles and chopped parsley.  Try olive oil, gorgonzola crumbles, thinly sliced ham, and fresh sage leaves. 

What do you put on your pizzas?  Contact me at baconbutterbooze@gmail.com and share some of your favorite toppings and combinations!