I really should make pizza all the time. It’s so easy and it’s utterly delicious. Unfortunately, it’s those same reasons why it’s best to show restraint. A lot of pizza really isn’t that good of a thing, if you know what I mean.
I made this pizza earlier in the month when my fridge still had leftovers of holiday-type ingredients like goat cheese and figs and fancy hams.Salty, sweet and fan-freakin’-tastic, this pizza tasted better than anything I could have imagined. It’s the kind of pizza I could eat everyday. In fact, both Cornelius and I inhaled the pizza in just one sitting. I remember the night well. We had a library-borrowed Criterion edition of my favorite Jim Jarmusch film on the tv (Stranger Than Paradise) and a couple glasses of a really nice red. Perfect.
The only wrench was in the making of the pizza dough which I found via Smitten Kitchen. Not that it turned out badly, it didn’t. In fact, the final product was lovely and as close to perfect as any I’ve made in the past. But the making of it? A total bitch. It seemed so wrong, despite the fact that I made it in my Kitchen Aid mixer. The dough was more granite than elastic and it took my mixer for quite a thumpity-thump ride across my counter-top. But I let it rise a few hours and then I put it in the fridge overnight because I didn’t trust it as it had given me such grief. But it all panned out in the end. The pizza dough tasted great, but I don’t think I’ll try that recipe again. Instead, I’ll fall back on my old standby or try out something new for kicks.
pizza with goat cheese, spinach and figs
1 recipe pizza dough or store bought
3 T pesto
1/2 bunch of spinach, washed & torn
1/4 sweet onion, sliced thinly
6 strips of Westphalia ham, torn
2 large dried figs, diced
1/2 log goat cheese
4 T Parmesan cheese
2 T sundried tomato oil (you know, the oil in the jar of sun dried tomatoes)Prepare pizza dough into a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread pesto evenly over top and scatter spinach leaves on top. Evenly scatter the onion slices, ham and figs over top and then pinch blobs of goat cheese over everything. Add Parmesan cheese over top and drizzle with the sundried tomato oil.
Bake for 10 minutes in a 400F oven or until sides brown slightly. Put pizza under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until goat cheese gets slightly golden. Remove from oven and dig in.
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Looks stunning!! I adore spinach & figs 🙂
Spinach? Goat cheese? Figs?
*faints*
Yet another reason to love pizza.
what an AMAZING combination of flavors… i’d love a slice 🙂 or two!
Wow! I’m impressed with this non-traditional approach to pizza toppings. Where on earth did you find figs in the middle of winter? Figs and cheese is an awesome combination, especially when teamed with goat cheese or feta cheese. I’ve yet to re-create the apple and cheddar pizza you posted about a while back. Now I have another variation to add to my list of add-ons to try. Decisions…decisions 🙂
yummy! that looks and sounds great… all my fav’s . Pizza is great… but I also don’t make it as often due to the same reasons as you.
I saw a thing on a Jacques Pepin show where he made pizza with lavash bread… even easier!
I’ve got a sweeeeeet pizza dough with honey and olive oil in it if you’re interested. 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try figs on my pizza, and now I know it’s not a crazy idea. Thanks for sharing!
The combination of toppings sounds sooo good. I love making pizza, but I’m such a wimp and usually just grab dough from the local pizza joint.
Figs and goats cheese? Well that’s a winner right there. Actually I find it hard to resist just about anything involving goats cheese. One of my favourites.
I tried a goat cheese and potato pizza over the weekend which satified my weekly carb intake. Yours has a marriage of wonderful flavours!!
Jennie: In response to your question about which season you can find fresh figs…I usually spot them at my local grocer in late August and early September, sometimes you might still see them at some gourmet markets in October too. I’m still wondering how kickpleat found hers in January!!
Whoa! Now that’s a pizza. I love this combo.
I don’t know if you have a Whole Foods near you, but if you’re ever in a pinch for good dough they have the best I’ve found.
thanks veggiegirl! it’s a great combo
miss kate, who needs another reason? 🙂
ttfn300, me too!
bijoux, i changed the recipe to mention dried figs! i’ve never had a fresh fig in my life (but i’m not really a fan of fruit or figs generally).
hag, that would be so easy to use lavash bread!
mmm, aimee, definitely! i’ll check out your site!
hayley, it’s definitely not a crazy idea at all.
jennie, use dried figs which is what i did and they work wonderfully!
culinary, it is a great combo i think! also, i don’t think your a wimp….it’s smart to grab your dough from a pizza joint or bakery (that’s what i used to do!)
daily spud, i was spurred on after making some goat cheese stuffed figs for the holidays. the combo works really well on pizza!
thanks bellini 🙂
dawn, there is a new whole foods opening up relatively close by. i’m excited to check it out! thanks for the tip!
Oh yum! Looove the figgies. Have been making spinach, goat cheese, artichoke pizzas lately, like there’s no tomorrow, but will def. throw some figs on if I can get my hands on some. I can never figure out when they’re in season – haven’t seen any for months here.
Here’s one combination I can’t wait to try!
I’d like to invite you to take some time to drop by at Foodista. We have launched an online food and cooking encyclopedia ala wikipedia where you can contribute and share what you know about food and cooking techniques(and this pizza recipe too)
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Figs and goat cheese and PIZZA!! It just makes sense when you put it that way. Looks figilicious.
Mmm that pizza looks delicious. I always want to eat pizza.
kaitlin, it’s a good mix. definitely figgydelish!
thanks foodista!
who doesn’t, eatme? i love it.
Well, it looks delicious! I love homemade pizza because I know it is safe to eat (no dairy) and so good! It is hard to stray from a tried and true recipe! I have perfected a quick fat free dough that our family loves. I will have to give the spinach a fig combination a try!
Oh holy crap that looks good. Goat cheese to boot. I can’t eat mozzarella so this is 100% perfect!!
YUM- what a fabulous flavor combo!!
sarena, i’m sure you’d love it! we practically inhaled it 🙂
cakespy, this is tasty!
thanks cookiepie 🙂
Pizza is my number one favorite food. PERIOD. This one looks like heaven! I love pizzas composed of leftovers!
This pizza sounds good!
mev, leftovers can be the best! resourcefulness is highly underrated.
kevin, the pizza is amazing.
I made this tonight!
It was a WONDERful recipe!!
Thanks for sharing!
nicole, glad you made this & loved it 🙂
thanks merry for stopping by 🙂
I don’t want to repeat what every one else has said – so ditto.
Yum, that looks amazing!
thanks amy, it sure was delicious!