No. 65Recipe Card Posted on 8 Comments

Pizza with Balsamic Roasted Mission Figs

Baskets of beautiful fresh figs are making their appearance in the markets. Black mission figs roasted in balsamic vinegar, creamy goat cheese and crispy pancetta have joined their flavors to create a pizza, a sweet little Bijouxs for summer.

This little jewel of a pizza is truly a celebration of great tastes, inspired by the classic Fig & Proscuitto Pizza from Todd English and Balsamic Roasted Figs by Chef Casey Lane. Bijouxs’ Pizza with Balsamic Roasted Mission Figs unites the sweet, the creamy and the salty, with a dash of Bijouxs style including make-ahead components and a quick take on pizza dough.

The components for the pizza, the roasted figs and crispy pancetta are make ahead. First, fry the minced pancetta to a crispy brown and then roast the figs. Roasting the fresh mission figs in balsamic vinegar creates tender sweet figs and also a silky rich glaze used to enhance the flavor of the pizza. Now, if you find that after roasting you do not have enough glaze (about 2 tablespoons) remaining in the roasting pan (things always vary in cooking) here’s a fix. After removing the figs from the pan, just add a tablespoon or two more of balsamic vinegar, place the pan on the stovetop and reduce slowly, scraping and stirring to include the extra vinegar, continue to reduce until the glaze has lost the vinegar bite, just a few minutes.

The pizza dough here is a quick Bijouxs Basics version made in the food processor, of course use your own favorite recipe or check in at a local Italian or gourmet market; many sell their house pizza dough ready to roll.

To assemble the pizza, roll/stretch the dough into the desired shape, keeping the crust as thin as possible. For this Bijouxs celebration of tastes, I created two 8-inch square pizzas to fit the serving trays, cutting each into 9 serving squares, each yielding 1 fig bite per person. Of course pizza is great in any shape and one a large rustic pizza is always a win. If you find have extra dough, refrigerate it for use next day. Brush the dough with olive oil (garlic flavored if preferred), add spoonfuls of the goat cheese, sprinkle with the pancetta, and lastly top with the figs. Drizzle the pizza lightly with the remaining glaze and bake, about 6-10 minutes. The time will vary depending on the size of the pizza, and whether you cook it on a pizza stone or sheet pan, but this is quick cook pizza. I always monitor all pizza baking all the way through; things do always seem to vary with baking.

After removing the pizza from the oven, scatter the top with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately. For a light summer meal add an arugula salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.

Pizza with Balsamic Roasted Mission Figs – let the celebration of tastes begin – Bijouxs.

 

 

As always, enjoy. B

8 thoughts on “Pizza with Balsamic Roasted Mission Figs

  1. You are such an incredible artist. I’d hang these images on my wall — truly exquisite! And, of course, the figs look absolutely delicious!

    1. Hello Valentina – First, thank you so much for the kind words about the photos – a big Bijouxs merci! The combo of the figs, goat cheese, and crisp pancetta, so good – grab a basket of figs and enjoy!

  2. I love fig season, time for a little urban foraging! GREG

    1. Hi Greg – I gather you know where to gather! Enjoy!

  3. I am at the mercy of fresh figs, no matter their cost. They’re my biggest summer farmers’ market splurge (I have no foraging leads like Greg). Valentina was right—this looks so beautiful, you could frame the shot with the silver platter and unique fork and hang it on your wall. I make pizza sometimes, but never with fresh figs, and I can’t wait to try this!

    1. You are right about the cost of beautiful figs, perhaps that is why the pizza was are placed on a silver platter, not the intent, but they are a luxury of summer. Maybe I need to plant a fig tree, no foraging opportunities here either. Let me know if you enjoy the pizza!

  4. Dear Bijouxs,
    When and how do I add the balsamic vinegar? Should I toss the figs in it at the same time as the olive oil?

    1. Hi Virginia! Yes, add the balsamic vinegar along with the olive oil. Thank you for finding something that was left out on the recipe directions! I have updated the recipe card. Please let me know if you see anything else! No matter how many times I check mistakes get through. Sorry for any inconvenience! Thank you for being a part of Bijouxs and enjoy the pizza!

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