INGREDIENTS
1 recipe homemade pizza dough
1 small head of cauliflower, broken into very small florets, about 2 cups (500 mL)
Cornmeal, for sprinkling
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling and brushing
1½ cups (375 mL) grated white cheddar cheese
1 unripe pear, thinly sliced
⅓ cup (75 mL) crumbled feta or gorgonzola cheese
¼ teaspoon (1 mL) red pepper flakes
Few handfuls of arugula
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Honey, for drizzling (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Prepare the homemade pizza dough.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the cauliflower on the baking sheet and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, or until the cauliflower begins to turn golden brown.
On a lightly floured flat surface, roll the pizza dough into a 12-inch (30-cm) circle. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking. Place the pizza on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Brush the dough with olive oil and bake for 5 minutes.
Remove the dough from the oven and top with half of the white cheddar cheese, the sliced pear, feta cheese, cauliflower, and the remaining white cheddar. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven. Top with the red pepper flakes and arugula. Drizzle with olive oil and honey, if desired.
SERVES: 2OR 3
Sometimes ideas come from unexpected places; I got the idea of “pearing” pears and cauliflower from a sushi roll I had at Uchi here in Austin. I love the sweet and savory combination of these two ingredients.