Fig And Taleggio Pizza Recipes

POTATO-FENNEL PIZZA WITH TALEGGIO

Steps:

• Place a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet on the lower oven rack and preheat to 500 degrees F. Make the potatoes: Combine the potatoes, garlic, sliced fennel and fennel fronds in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium; cook until the potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Add the olive oil and mash until almost smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; set aside.
• Assemble the pizza: Keep the prebaked crust on the baking sheet. Scatter the taleggio and potato mixture over the crust, spreading the potato mixture slightly. Scatter the sliced fennel on top, sprinkle with the parmesan and drizzle with the olive oil. Transfer the baking sheet to the hot pizza stone and bake until the cheese melts and the crust is golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Stir in 2 cups warm water (about 105 degrees F) and 2 tablespoons olive oil with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until the dough rises slightly, about 1 hour.
• Using lightly floured hands, transfer the dough to a generously floured surface and knead several times until it just starts becoming smooth and elastic, about 1 minute (do not over-knead). Transfer to a lightly oiled large bowl. Tightly cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, place a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet on the lower oven rack and preheat to 500 degrees F.
• Brush two rimmed 13-by-18-inch baking sheets (not nonstick) with 3 tablespoons olive oil each. Place one piece of dough on each baking sheet. Prepare the pizzas one at a time: Cover the dough with plastic wrap, then press firmly with your hands to fill the baking.
• Remove the plastic wrap and transfer the baking sheet to the hot pizza stone. Bake until the crust starts browning, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully loosen the crust from the pan using a spatula. Top and bake or let cool, lightly wrap in plastic and set aside up to 8 hours.

FIG-PROSCIUTTO PIZZA WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• For the crust: Sprinkle the yeast over 3/4 cup warm (not lukewarm) water in a bowl.
• In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the flour and salt and, with the mixer running on low speed, drizzle in the olive oil. Keep going until it's mixed through. Next, pour in the yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined.
• Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, tip the dough in and form it into a ball. Toss to coat the dough ball in the olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for at least an hour, or up to 3 or 4 days.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Arrange the oven rack in the lowest position.
• For the topping: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface as thinly as possible Dough should be roughly 17 by 10 inches. Place on a large baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with the olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Spread the fig spread all over the surface of the dough. Lay the slices of mozzarella all over the surface of the pizza crust. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and immediately drape the prosciutto slices over the hot pizza. Sprinkle generously with the arugula and Parmesan shavings. Cut into wedges or squares and serve immediately!

POTATO & TALEGGIO PIZZA

Steps:

• Make up the dough following the pack instructions. Roll out thinly to make a rectangle about 30 x 40cm, then transfer to a well oiled baking sheet. Cover with cling film and leave to rise for 20 mins. Preheat the oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7.
• Slice the potatoes thinly and boil in salted water, or steam, until just tender, about 3-4 mins, then drain well and pat dry. Shred the spring onions. Thinly slice the cheese.
• Spread the potatoes over the pizza dough and drizzle with a little olive oil. Scatter over the onions, cheese and lardons. Bake for 15-20 mins, until the topping is crisp and golden. Cut into squares to serve.

FIG AND PROSCIUTTO PIZZA

Steps:

• One hour prior to cooking, place a baking stone in the oven, and heat to 500 degrees.
• Roll out one pizza dough as thinly as possible. Place it on a pizza peel sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the surface with 1 teaspoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 pinch each salt and pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon chopped rosemary. Leave an uncovered, 1-inch-wide outer lip all the way around.
• Evenly dot 1/4 cup fig jam and 2 ounces Gorgonzola cheese on the pizza. Top with half the prosciutto.
• Shake the peel lightly, and slide the pizza onto the baking stone. Bake until browned, about 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a firm surface and cut into slices. Serve immediately, garnished with half the sliced scallion. Repeat with remaining dough.

FIG AND GOAT CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Pour the water into a large bowl, and sprinkle yeast over the top. Let stand for a few minutes to dissolve. Mix in the oil, salt, and flour to make a dough. When the dough is too stiff to stir, turn out onto a floured surface, and knead for about 5 minutes. Place into an oiled bowl, and cover with a clean towel. Set aside to rise for about 45 minutes.
• Place the figs into a small bowl, and pour boiling water over them. Let stand for about 10 minutes, then drain and chop. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until they are wilted and soft. Reduce heat to low, and season with salt. Continue to cook and stir until the onions are a dark brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the thyme, fennel seed and figs, and remove from the heat.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Punch down the pizza dough, and stretch into a circle about 1/4 inch thick. Place on a lightly greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Brush the surface lightly with remaining olive oil. Spread the onion and fig mixture over the crust. It will be sparse, but there is plenty of flavor. Dot with pieces of goat cheese.
• Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the crust has turned golden brown at the edges.

TRUFFLED TALEGGIO OR FONTINA AND MUSHROOM PIZZA

Steps:

• Put a large heavy baking sheet (17 by 14 inches) on lowest rack of oven, then preheat oven to 500°F
• Stretch out dough on a lightly floured surface, pulling on corners to form a roughly 16- by 13-inch rectangle (Thin crust is the key.). Transfer to a tray lined with parchment paper. Lightly prick dough all over with a fork.
• Slide dough (still on parchment) onto hot baking sheet. Bake until top is puffed and pale golden in patches, 6 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven; prick any large bubbles with a fork and flatten. Scatter mushrooms evenly over crust, then season with salt and pepper and lay cheese on top.
• Bake pizza until edge of crust is deep golden and cheese is bubbling and golden in patches, 8 to 10 minutes. Drizzle with truffle oil and season with pepper. Serve immediately.