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Pear and Goat Cheese Pizza with Caramelized Onion and Balsamic Drizzle Recipe

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4.1 from 8 reviews

This Pear and Goat Cheese Pizza combines a homemade, soft and chewy crust with the sweet and savory flavors of caramelized onions, tender pear slices, tangy goat cheese, crispy bacon, and crunchy candied walnuts. Finished with a drizzle of balsamic reduction and fresh arugula, this gourmet pizza offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes, perfect as a unique and elegant meal option.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 1 serving
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 2/3 cup warm water
  • 1 1/8 tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface/rolling

Toppings

  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 onion, caramelized (see note)
  • 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1 pear, sliced into 1/4″ thick pieces
  • 3 slices bacon, fried then crumbled
  • 1/4 cup candied walnuts
  • Handful arugula
  • 2 tsp balsamic reduction (see note)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pizza dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. If no foam appears, discard and start again with fresh yeast.
  2. Mix and knead the dough: Add honey, olive oil, salt, and all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Mix on medium-high until combined, then knead on high for 5 minutes until the dough pulls away from the bowl and bounces back when poked. Add flour gradually if sticky. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise for 1-2 hours or until doubled.
  3. Preheat the oven and prepare crust: Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into an 11-inch circle. Transfer to a pizza stone or parchment-lined pizza pan.
  4. Par-bake the crust: Bake the rolled dough for 5-6 minutes to set the crust. Remove from the oven when you see slight browning but the crust is not fully baked.
  5. Add toppings: Brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with ground cinnamon. Spread caramelized onions over the base, then scatter crumbled goat cheese. Arrange the pear slices across the pizza evenly.
  6. Bake the assembled pizza: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and the toppings are warmed through.
  7. Finish with toppings: Remove from oven and top with crumbled crispy bacon, candied walnuts, and a handful of fresh arugula. Drizzle with balsamic reduction for a sweet and tangy finish.
  8. Serve: Slice and serve immediately while warm and fresh.

Notes

  • Caramelized onion: To caramelize onions, slice thinly and cook slowly over medium-low heat with a bit of olive oil, stirring occasionally until deeply golden and sweet, about 30-40 minutes.
  • Balsamic reduction: To make balsamic reduction, simmer balsamic vinegar in a pan over low heat until it reduces by half and thickens to a syrupy consistency.
  • You can substitute pre-baked pizza dough or crust to save time, skipping dough preparation steps.
  • Add extra honey or cinnamon for a sweeter crust if desired.
  • Ensure bacon is cooked crispy before crumbling for best texture contrast.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/pear-and-goat-cheese-pizza-with-caramelized-onion-and-balsamic-drizzle-recipe/