What's For Dinner Wednesday: Prosciutto, Fig & Caramelized Onion White Pizza

Pizza night is a favorite in our house-- especially on the weekends. We try to have one date night out each weekend, but also try to cook a dinner at home (usually with wine and a movie) on the other night so that we can keep our budget in check. I don't know about you though, but on a weekend night a 'typical' dinner just doesn't cut it for me. I don't want to eat the same thing that I would make after a busy workday on a Saturday evening. I want something more fun. This time it was pizza.

I had some dried figs in my pantry that I have been anxious to use up, but wasn't exactly sure how to do so. Then I remembered how well fruit pairs with salty prosciutto and ta-dah! this pizza recipe was born. In addition to sweet figs and salty prosciutto, I added caramelized onions and fresh thyme to the mix along with one of my favorite pizza cheeses: Fontinella. Fontinella melts really well and has a great strong flavor. Think melting quality of mozzarella with the pungent flavor of Parmesan.

It's not your run of the mill pepperoni pizza, but the result is truly delicious. Paired with a simple arugula salad and a glass of wine it's the perfect dinner for date night at home. And I've been eating the leftovers for lunch all week!

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbs. butter
• 1 medium Vidalia onion, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• Salt
• cornmeal
• 1 pre-made pizza crust
• 1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
• 6 oz. Fontinella, grated
• 2 oz. prosciutto, thinly sliced
• 8-10 dried figs, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds *I'm sure fresh would work well too!
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

 Heat a saute pan over medium heat and add butter. Once melted, add onions and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until the onions are soft and slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove onions from heat and set aside.

Meanwhile, sprinkle cornmeal on a large baking sheet and place pizza crust on top. Lightly brush the top of the crust with olive oil. Sprinkle about 3/4 of the cheese evenly over the crust leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Layer the prosciutto evenly over the cheese and then follow with the onions, using as much or as little as you prefer. *I used all of the onions because we are big fans, but a little of these go a long way so you can certainly use less.

Sprinkle remain cheese over the top and then place flig slices evenly over that layer of cheese. Sprinkle with thyme leaves and bake for 15-18 minutes until cheese is melted and begins to brown.