Fresh fig and cheese pizza

Fresh fig season is coming to an end this year and fig pizza can be a delicious final treat until next year. Simple pizza dough in combination with fresh figs and preferred cheese are easy to turn into a delicious and nutritious meal.

Ingredients:

Crust
3/4 cup lukewarm to warm water
1 1/2 cup lightly packed unbleached flour
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

Topping
5-6 fresh (black) figs, sliced
1 large tomato, sliced thinly
1 small- medium white or brown onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, cut in rounds (optional)
5-6 small slices of ham or prosciutto (optional)
50-70 grams cheese (gauda, cheddar, goat cheese or any other hard cheese), grated
fresh or dried thyme, oregano
salt and pepper

Directions:
To prepare crust, in a medium bowl combine yeast with water and let stand for 2-3 minutes. Add flour and salt to yeast mixture. Mix with hands until lightly sticky dough ball can be formed. Coat the dough ball with olive oil as well as the bottom of the bowl. Cover the dough and let rise for about 25 minutes (up to 1 hour if time allows).

Preheat the oven to 400F/200C. Place the dough ball on a floured surface and roll out to a 1/2cm thick round. Transfer the rolled dough onto a baking sheet or pizza stone before adding topping. Brush the dough crust with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh or dried herbs across the top. Assemble pizza with layers of tomato slices, thin onion rings, green pepper (optional), ham/prosciutto (optional), fresh figs, and finish by sprinkling grated cheese on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Bon appetit!