Mexican pizza with salsa

2 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½Recipe basic bread dough that has risen once
2tablespoonsLight-tasting olive oil
4ouncesChorizo; (See NOTE) =OR=- Other spicy sausage
1largeClove garlic; minced
1mediumSpanish onion cut into small dice (SEE RECIPE)
Oil and cornmeal for pan
¾cupShredded Monterey Jack
¾cupShredded Muenster cheese
3tablespoonsMinced cilantro
2Green onions; thinly sliced
Salsa; (well drained)
Cilantro leaves

Directions

DOUGH

TOPPING

PREHEAT OVEN TO 425F with rack in lower area of oven. Oil a round pizza pan, preferably black steel; sprinkle lightly with cornmeal.

Set aside. Roll dough into circle, roughly 11 inches in diameter, letting dough relax a few minutes if it keeps withdrawing. Place in prepared pan, gently stretching it back to size once it's in the pan.

Prick dough with fork. Heat oil in 7-inch skillet over medium high heat. Remove casing from sausage; crumble meat into ½-inch chunks.

When oil is hot, add sausage, garlic and onion to pan. Cook until onion is softened, about 4 minutes, stirring often. Spread mixture on dough leaving ½-inch margin. Sprinkle ½ cheese over. Bake for 12 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese over. Bake until this cheese has melted and dough is deeply browned, about 3 minutes more. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with minced cilantro and green onions. Cut into wedges. Garnish each wedge with drained salsa and cilantro leaves.

Serve hot.

(NOTE: This is available in Mexican markets and specialty food stores, and is a robustly seasoned, coarsely ground fresh pork sausage.

ABBY MANDEL - PRODIGY GUEST CHEFS COOKBOOK