Small Plates
Ingredients
- 1 wood fired pizza crust
- 1/4 cup fig jam
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced as thinly as possible
- 8 dried figs
- 1/4 cup roasted garlic cloves
- 3 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 teaspoons syrupy balsamic vinegar
- 2 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 1 scallion, green and white parts thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes
Directions
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
- Soak the figs in boiling hot water for 10 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and slice the fig from top to bottom into thin slices.
- Heat the fig jam in the microwave for 30 seconds to make it spread easily. If still too thick, add a 1/2 teaspoon water and stir.
- Place the sliced scallions in ice water for 5 minutes until they curl. Remove, pat dry, and reserve.
- Brush the pizza crust all over with the fig jam.
- Top with the mozzarella, figs, gorgonzola, garlic cloves, pepper, and olive oil. Drizzle the pizza with 2 tablespoons of the syrupy balsamic.
- Place the pizza directly on the bottom rack of the oven. Bake until the pizza crust turns golden and crispy, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from the oven. Top with the prosciutto and scallions. Drizzle the remaining balsamic syrup over the top and finish with a sprinkling of flakey sea salt. Slice into wedges. Serve immediately.
Kitchen Notes
Any blue cheese may be used. Point Reyes is a milder blue for any who may find the gorgonzola a bit strong. Most well-stocked supermarkets sell pre-grilled frozen wood-fired pizza crusts. To make your own syrupy balsamic, add 1/2 cup of regular balsamic vinegar to a small pot over medium-low heat. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the vinegar thickens and is the consistency of syrup. Store bought roasted garlic cloves are fine, otherwise, simply peel a head of garlic and microwave the cloves for 2 minutes, Place the garlic in a small oven-proof dish, drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast in the oven at 375 degrees F. until fork tender. Let cool and if not using right away, transfer to a glass bowl, cover cloves in olive oil, lid and refrigerate. The roasted garlic will keep in the refrigerator for a week when stored in an air tight container. The addition of a handfull of fresh figs, when in season, is a transformative experience.