April 5, 2016
Fig and Arugula Pizza
I bet you all were thinking, “When are these broads going to post any recipes with figs?” Well, think no more because the day is here. I mean, we can’t name our blog Eat Figs, Not Pigs and not have any fig recipes on it, right?!?! Aaaaand, I saw on social media that today is National Deep Dish Pizza Day, so I’m kinda killing two birds with one stone. This pizza isn’t deep dish, but it’s delicious and it’s pizza and that’s all that matters.
A few years ago, Ashlee and I decided it’d be a good idea to have a pizza making contest. She made this prosciutto and peach pizza topped with arugula and I made some basic margherita fresca pizza. Our friend, Peter came over to be the judge and Ashlee won, hands down. Since then, Peter passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident and we think of him often. Ashlee thought it’d be a good idea to make a pizza in honor of him and that’s exactly what we did. In replace of the meat from the piggies (prosciutto), we used figgies and caramelized onions! The final product was even better than the original. Peter would have been proud.
We used Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds and it was perfection. That stuff is a slice of non-dairy heaven. The pizza was topped off with a balsamic glaze and fresh arugula tossed in a sherry vinaigrette to balance some of the sweetness. The outcome is a sweet, savory, rich, spicy party in your mouth. Now stop drooling and make your own already. Peter, this one’s for you, buddy. Miss you.
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 1 tbs red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
- 1 leaf fresh basil, chopped
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ¼ roasted red pepper
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1.5 tbs olive oil
- 2 tbs vegan butter (Earth Balance)
- 1 whole sprig thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 package no-knead pizza dough (make sure it's free of eggs or dairy if vegan)
- 1 package Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds (7 ounces)
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- 4-5 dried figs, chopped
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 leaves fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups fresh arugula
- 1 tbs sherry vinaigrette
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Add all ingredients to saucepan and simmer for 30-40 minutes
- Add oil and butter to large sautee pan on medium-high heat
- Add onions and cover, tossing occasionally
- After about 40 minutes, your onions should half reduced in size by half and turned a dark, caramel-y color
- Remove thyme
- Season with salt and pepper
- Set aside
- Add ingredients to sauce pan
- Cook slowly on medium to low until sauce thickens and reduces (about 20-30 minutes)
- Set aside
- Roll out dough and add one tablespoon of sauce
- Place in oven and cook for 15 minutes
- Remove from oven and add remaining sauce
- Add caramelized onions, roasted peppers, fresh garlic and basil
- Cook another 5 minutes
- Next, add your cheese and figs
- Cook another 10-20 minutes (the bottom of the pizza should be a light brown and slightly crispy)
- Finally, toss your arugula in the sherry and add to fully cooked pizza.
- Drizzle with your balsamic glaze and enjoy!
This is absolutely beautiful! A tremendous thing to put in your mouth. The balance of sweet and salt, the peppery arugula… we had our own homemade vegan mozzarella which complimented it all. You should be proud! Peter would LOVE this!
Omg Derek!!! Thank you so much! Such kind words ????????
My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.
So happy I found this recipe. The flavors are mind blowing. The sauce is rich and so flavorful, the carmelized onion are to die for, everything together just screams amazing.