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Local Food Journey

Pear Pizza

Posted by Emily Wiley on 01/11 at 02:03 PM

Pear Pizza. Photo Credit Emily Wiley.

Pears are sweet and juicy and provide a bright note to cold weather meals. They pair nicely with pungent and creamy cheeses, caramelized onions, and walnuts — all of which have a place on this pizza.

What’s on your January pizza?

Ingredients for Pizza Crust

1 teaspoon instant or active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup olive oil

Directions for Pizza Crust

Makes 2 pizza crusts.

Sprinkle yeast over 1 1/2 cups warm water. Let stand for a few minutes.

In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine flour and salt. With mixer running on low speed, drizzle in olive oil until combined. Add yeast/water mixture and mix until combined, and the dough comes together in a sticky mass.

Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set aside for 1-2 hours.

Take half of the pizza dough (store the other half in the refrigerator for up to 4 days) and form it into a nice, tight ball. Roll with a rolling pin, or toss it around and pull and stretch it. When the crust is nice and thin, lay it on an oiled baking sheet or pizza pan. Drizzle a little more olive oil onto the dough and spread with your fingers. Sprinkle a little bit of salt on top.

Pizza Dough. Photo Credit Emily Wiley.

Pizza Dough. Photo Credit Emily Wiley.

(Adapted from The Pioneer Woman)

Ingredients for Pizza

Makes 1 pizza.

1 red onion, sliced thin
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 Bartlett pear, sliced thin
2 Seckel pears, sliced thin
4 slices provolone cheese
1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions for Pizza

Preheat oven to 375°F.

To caramelize onions: Add olive oil and butter to a sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deep brown in color and fragrant.

To build pizza: Start with provolone cheese, followed by onions and pears, and sprinkle Gorgonzola cheese and walnuts on top.

Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly.

Pear Pizza. Photo Credit Emily Wiley.

Comments

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
01/12 at 06:59 AM

Where do you get a local pear in January?

Posted by Emily Wiley
01/12 at 10:17 AM

You’re right, Michele. Pears can’t be found on Pennsylvania farms in January. But there are a few varieties that are in season in the US during this time of year: Asian pears, Comice pears, and Seckel pears. Of course, it’s always best to buy local when you can, but it’s also important to know the seasons of your favorite foods and buy them at their peaks. Note: You can, however, get onions and cheeses from local producers throughout the winter.

Posted by KeithAvanaugh
01/18 at 05:00 AM

looks yummylicious ..

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