42. Salad Pizza

Yep, that’s right.  Salad pizza. 

It’s Friday night.  I think, no matter what my age, I’ll always consider Fridays my time to loosen up the rules and have fun.  All I wanted tonight was a pizza.  But then I thought, why not throw a salad on top of a pizza?  Shortly after that epiphany, my daughter informed me that it’s not an original idea.  California Pizza Kitchen (and others) have already come up with this.  But this is my version.

I used a pre-made, thin organic crust from Trader Joe’s.  (Even though I know how, I will not be making my own dough on a Friday night).  Use any pre-made, uncooked pizza crust, the thinner the better.  I then caramelized onions, added two different cheeses, baked it, and threw a salad on top.  BLISS.  Really, it’s delicious.  Definitely something I foresee on many a future Friday night!

Ingredients

1 thin crust frozen or pre-made pizza crust (uncooked)

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 yellow onion, sliced

1/2 tsp each kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup shredded gruyere

1/2 cup shredded fresh parmesan

2 cups baby greens

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half

shaved fresh parmesan cheese (about another 1/2 cup)

Dressing

1 oz olive oil

1 oz balsamic vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 tsp honey

1/4 tsp salt and pepper

First caramelize the onions.  Melt butter with olive oil in a heavy skillet.  When it’s hot (but not burning), add the onions and saute on medium high heat.  Salt and pepper and sugar them.  Turn the heat down as soon as they start to turn translucent.  Continue to cook them until they’re the color of walnuts.  

Spread the onions and olive oil onto your pizza crust.  Use a pasty brush to evenly distribute the oil and butter.  Add the gruyere and parmesan.  Bake per the instructions on your crust (for example, mine was 425 for 15 minutes).  Take out of the oven when the cheese is bubbly and golden brown and the crust is starting to brown.

Slice the pizza before you add the salad (6 slices for 12” pizza crust).  Heap on the salad, tomatoes and shaved parmesan.  Then drizzle with the vinaigrette.  Serve immediately and enjoy!

Serves 6 as an appetizer, or 2-3 if you're feeling a little greedy.