Today’s recipe is one of those recipes that I am incredibly proud to say I made. Warning… this recipe is a SPLURGE, but one that just might be worth every single bite.
It’s one of those recipes that was SO flavorful, and SO decadent. If you didn’t know I made it, you could very possibly think that you were at a pizza kitchen somewhere… tasting a new flavor combination for the first time.
Now, if you’ve read NTTC for any length of time, you know by now that I love pizza. I love Jenny Craig pizzas, Lean Cuisine French Bread pizzas. I have an affection for pizzas made with Flatout Bread. In the end, there are not too many pizzas that I don’t love.
When I went to see the show I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change a few months back, one of my friends ordered a Fig-Proscuitto Pizza that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. When I was planning my menu for my time in Virginia, I added a version of this pizza to our menu.
What makes Fig-Prosciutto Pizza so ridiculously delicious?
I think it’s that combination of sweet (fig) and salty (prosciutto)… and then that OUTSTANDING umami that the truffle oil brings to the table.
What is Umami, you ask?
It’s often times called the “fifth” taste. We all know sweet, sour, bitter, and salty… but umami is like their long-lost cousin from out of town that people don’t talk about as much. It’s flavor is not as easy to detect, but its one of richness, fullness, and complexity and makes food taste more delicious. Some have even described it as meaty and savory. Whatever umami tastes like to you… to know it is to love it.
Umami is often found in fish, shellfish, fermented and aged products (i.e. parmesan cheese, soy sauce) and in vegetables (i.e. mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach.)
Where can you buy Truffle Oil?
I actually had a little trouble finding truffle oil in Virginia, and ended up spotting it at TJ Maxx after a whirlwind grocery store sweep. I’m sure Wegman’s, Whole Foods, and SuperTarget all carry the oil… but that day in September, TJ’s was the place to find it.
To me, there is something magical about Truffle Oil, and I know it’s because it brings home the umami. If you’ve never had truffle oil before, I’m hoping that you try it on this dish. You’re in for a treat. I tiny bit is all you need…
Fig-Prosciutto Pizza
Inspired by Osteria Marco and Pioneer Woman
INGREDIENTS
1 package pizza dough
Olive Oil
4 Tablespoons Fig Spread or Jam
1/4 cup dried figs, sliced
Kosher Salt To Taste
12 ounces, weight Fresh Mozzarella, sliced thin
6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
1 bunch arugula, washed and rinsed
Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
1/2 cup Shaved Parmesan
White Truffle Oil
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Cook your prosciutto in the microwave until crispy. Note: I cooked mine between paper towels and crumbled it in a small bowl.
3. Oil a pizza pan with olive oil. Roll out pizza dough as thinly as possible. Arrange on the pan.
4. Drizzle pizza dough lightly with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Spread fig spread (or jam) all over the surface of the dough.
5. Add sliced figs and prosciutto to the pizza.
6. Next, add your fresh mozzarella.
7. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
8. Remove from oven. Just before serving, sprinkle on arugula and Parmesan shavings.
9. Lastly, before you serve your pizza, drizzle lightly with truffle oil. Cut into wedges or squares and serve immediately!
When I made this initially, it was the full fat version during vacation. My next challenge will be to lighten it up. If you have the ability to splurge, certainly TRY this pizza… you will LOVE it!