blue cheese pizza

 Absolutely,

blue cheese pizza makes for a fantastic appetizer! It's a unique and flavorful option that offers a combination of creamy richness, sharp tang, and savory toppings. Here's a recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• For the Dough (optional):

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

• For the Toppings:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (Gorgonzola, Cambozola, or a milder option like Danish Blue)
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1/4 cup sliced pears or thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Make the Dough (optional):

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Mix in the warm water and olive oil until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.

Assemble the Pizza:

1. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach (ideally 450°F to 500°F). If using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven as well for at least 30 minutes.
2. If not using store-bought dough, roll out the risen dough on a lightly floured surface to a desired size (consider a smaller size for appetizers). You can use a round pizza pan or a baking sheet.
3. Brush the dough with olive oil.
4. Spread a thin layer of ricotta cheese over the dough, leaving a small border around the edge.
5. Crumble the blue cheese over the ricotta cheese. You can add some shredded mozzarella cheese for a milder flavor profile (optional).
6. Top with chopped walnuts or pecans for a nice textural contrast.
7. Arrange pear slices or red onion slices on top (optional).
8. Grind some fresh black pepper over the pizza.

Bake the Pizza:

1. If using a pizza stone, carefully transfer the assembled pizza to the preheated stone.
2. If using a baking sheet, bake directly on the sheet.
3. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve:

1. Take the pizza out of the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing.
2. Cut the pizza into squares or wedges for easy grabbing as an appetizer.

Tips:

• You can use store-bought pizza dough to save time. Look for pre-made dough in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
• If you don't have a pizza stone, you can bake the pizza directly on a baking sheet. However, a preheated pizza stone will help achieve a crispier crust.
• Experiment with different toppings! Caramelized onions, crumbled cooked sausage, or a drizzle of honey can add interesting flavors.
• Consider serving this blue cheese appetizer pizza with a side of arugula salad with a balsamic vinaigrette for a well-rounded flavor profile.

Enjoy this delicious and unique blue cheese appetizer pizza! It's sure to be a hit at your next gathering.