Fig, Gorgonzola & Hot Honey Pizza
It's been a few months since I made a white pizza. But now it's fig season, soooo I'm back.
I just love figs. I love them on toast and I love them in jam (or cake) form, I love them raw and cooked and sweet and savory and I go a little nuts when they pop up in grocery stores here because what come as a shock to those who loathe the messy fig trees in their back yards-- they are NOT common here. I don't think I even ate a fresh one until like 10 years ago, but ever since I've been hot on their trail and look forward to their reappearance every September. I figured I was overdue to put them on one of my other loves: White Pizza.
This pizza took almost zero thought. Immediately I needed to have the figs with gorgonzola and then I remembered that I had some hot honey in my pantry that would give my usual pairing of honey and figs a little KICK. A little of this, a little of that and pretty soon I was chowing down on one of the better creations to come out of my kitchen (at lunchtime no less). Because I love eye rolls, this pizza just wasn't quite complete without dumping a salad on top of it.
September is always a weird month. Everyone gets all pumped for fall but temps still can soar into the high 80s with crushing humidity. It's likely not until the end of the month that we get a reprieve from the heat, and yet we insist on pumpkin spice lattes and boots. People are weird. Seasons are weird. This pizza is not weird.
hot honey is easy to make yourself, but it's even easier when this is in your pantry
This pizza is a quick favorite. Sweet figs with tangy cheese, a little bit of thyme and a good hit of black pepper are balanced out with the spicy honey. Peppery lightly dressed arugula, love it or hate it on pizza, gives it a fresh kick that is welcomed. Pizza is an every-season food and I'm happy to peek over the edge into fall with this one.
Fig, Gorgonzola & Hot Honey Pizza
Makes one 12-14 inch pizza
Ingredients
One recipe of your favorite pizza dough (I use many different pizza crusts depending on the day, how much time I have, how my hair looks that day etc. but a few faves include Jim Lahey’s, Cooks Illustrated Pizza Bianca, Simply Recipes homemade pizza dough, and of course the “crap I forgot to do the dough” option {which I love and use all the time} from Trader Joe’s).
4-5 fresh figs, cut in quarters
4 oz fresh crumbled gorgonzola cheese
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Hot Honey (I had some pre-made in my pantry but it's super easy to make)
2 Cups baby arugula
Kosher Salt
Method
One hour prior to baking, place oven rack on lowest position and put pizza stone on it. Preheat to 500 degrees.
Prepare your pizza peel by sprinkling with semolina flour. Gently roll and stretch pizza dough to a 12-14" round and place on pizza peel. Brush 1-2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the base of the pizza. Scatter figs across the dough and follow it up with the gorgonzola. Sprinkle black pepper, thyme leaves, a pinch of kosher salt and a drizzle of hot honey over the dough. Carefully transfer to hot baking stone (Sticky dough making you feel stabby? Buy this amazing pizza peel). Cook for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melty and bubbly, crust is golden, and your kitchen smells AMAZING.
Remove from oven and set aside. In a small bowl, drizzle a few tsp extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt and a few cranks of pepper over the arugula. Use your hands and toss in the bowl until ready to top. Plop that delicious salad on top, cut into wedges and serve. Happy September!
