Fig, Cheese and Caramelized Onion Pizza

Can you tell I bought a truckload of fresh figs this week?

This is my third recipe so far — I can’t resist fresh figs when I first see them in the market. So, we’ve had two versions of salad (with figs of course) and one pizza — I’ve made this pizza numerous times since I first posted about it last year.

One of us, as usual, added some fresh arugula on top and one of passed on that.

Fig, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Pizza

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar

• cornmeal

• about 15 ounces of pizza dough

• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese

• 5-6 fresh figs, cut into quarters

• 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese

• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (or 1/3-1/2 cup crumbled blue type cheese)

• arugula, optional

• Balsamic vinegar, optional

Preheat the oven to 450F. Preheat a pizza stone if you have one. Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over low-medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 15-18 minutes, stirring frequently or until the onions and beginning to turn golden. Add the Balsamic vinegar, stir and cook another 10 minutes or until the onions are soft, well glazed and golden brown. Set aside. Place some cornmeal on a board or on parchment paper and stretch/roll the dough into a circle (Mine was 12-inches but you can make it 11-13-inches depending on how thick you like the crust.) Spoon the ricotta cheese evenly over the dough surface, leaving about 1/2-inch at the edge. Cover the ricotta cheese with the onions. Top with the quartered figs, placing them evenly round the surface. Scatter the mozzarella cheese over the top, then the Parmesan or blue cheese. If you have a pizza stone transfer the pizza to the stone using a pizza peel; or, transfer to a large baking sheet with the parchment paper underneath. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is crispy and browned to taste and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Makes one large pizza

Veggie Frittata

When it’s time for a meatless meal I often go for a frittata. It’s quick and easy to cook and, accompanied by a salad and a hunk of bread, is filling enough for dinner.

I’ve made this veggie-cheese frittata many times, using different veggies (about 2 cups worth) and other meltable cheeses (cheddar, havarti, mozzarella) and if I have any, sometimes throw in some crumbled feta, blue or goat cheese.

This is a dish that works no matter what the season, but is especially good in summer when most of us want lighter food. Also — perfect during the Nine Days and for other meatless fast days.

Veggie Frittata

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 tablespoons chopped shallot

• 10-12 grape or cherry tomatoes, cut into pieces

• 3-4 large mushrooms, cleaned and chopped

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional

• 6 large eggs, beaten

• 2 ounces grated Swiss cheese

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to broil. Heat the butter and olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, add the shallot, tomatoes and mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables have softened. Add the spinach and parsley, if used, and cook briefly, until the spinach has wilted slightly. Pour in the eggs and scatter the cheese on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the liquid egg to get to the bottom, until the eggs are still slightly liquid but nearly cooked. Place the pan under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until the top is crispy and lightly browned.

Makes 2-3 servings