A Surprise From Publix

This fall a friend brought the most incredible hors d'oeuvres to a gathering, and I tried my hand at it during Christmas.This Pear & Gorgonzola Pizza would also work as your main dish, though four of us had no problem devouring it before a meal of filets and potatoes. Ugh, my waistband. Oh well. This combination of flavors will keep you coming back for more. The pizza crust is a critical ingredient, and I was new to this item available at Publix near the bakery. They have a min-frig. full of baggied fresh pizza dough with simple instructions for use. Oh, baby. You will want to go back for this item over and over. I use my pizza stone to ensure top quality on the baking of the crust. This recipe is a keeper. If you have any leftovers (you won't), microwave to reheat and enjoy all over again. Thank you, Jane!

Pear & Gorgonzola Pizza

    Fresh pizza crust dough from Publix

    1-2 Bosc pears

    1/2c Gorgonzola cheese

    1/2c Fontina cheese, grated

    1 c   Mozzarella cheese, grated

    1 onion, sliced and caramelized (see step #4 below)

    Hazelnuts or Pecans

    good honey

1. The pizza dough will need to sit on counter for an hour before you roll it out. Follow the directions on packaging. When you set out the dough to begin this process, turn on oven 450 and put pizza stone in oven to heat it for an hour while dough is sitting on counter.

2. Roll out pizza dough onto hot stone to whatever thickness you like.  The Pampered Chef Baker's Roller is helpful here with its dual-size rollers.

3. Spread  mozzarella cheese and fontina cheese on top.

4. Place caramelized onion on top of cheese (to caramelize, slowly brown onion in 4 Tbsp butter for about 15 min. while dough is rising).

5. Slice pear very thin and lay on top of onions and sprinkle a little brown sugar on top of pears, optional.

6. Sprinkle with gorgonzola cheese and nuts.

7. Bake 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until crust is done. Remove from oven and drizzle honey over the top.