Honey, Gouda and Goat Cheese Pizza |

Apple Pie isn’t the only pie around. I’m a Chicago-girl at heart. I love a good pizza pie. I’m not too picky when it comes to pizza. I will try any kind, any crust, any region. Take-out or homemade, it doesn’t matter to me! I recently created a winter white pizza incorporating some of my favorite cheeses into a twist on a traditional red sauce pizza. The whole wheat crust will be a bit grainier than an all-purpose flour crust, but it is hearty and a little more nutritious. The honey drizzle on this pizza really takes it over the top!

Whole Wheat Honey Pizza Dough
1 package active dry yeast
1 C warm water
1 1/2 TBSP honey (plus extra for drizzle)
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
3/4 C all-purpose flour
1 TBSP corn meal

Mix yeast, honey and 1/2 TBSP olive oil in water. Stir until dissolved. Allow to sit until bubbles form, about 5 minutes.

Add whole wheat flour and mixture. Work with hands to form dough. Slowly add AP flour, combining with hands. Once combined, knead for a few minutes. Dough will be a slight bit sticky.

Add 1/2 TBSP olive oil to a bowl. Coat dough in oil. Cover bowl and allow to sit in a warm place for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, until doubled.

Pizza Toppings

1 large yellow onion, sliced
1 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 oz. goat cheese
2 C freshly grated Gouda cheese
Gouda Cheese Sauce (recipe below)

In a large skillet, heat oil on high. Add onions, spreading throughout the pan. Allow to brown, occasionally moving the onion around the pan. After five minutes, add salt. Mix in. Allow onions to brown and caramelize, approximately 20 minutes.

Gouda Cheese Sauce
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP flour
1 c milk
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 C fresh grated Gouda

In a small saucepan, warm milk. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour until roux forms. Slowly add warm milk, whisking continually. Continue to whisk until fully incorporated. Add garlic powder, basil and oregano. Stir often until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On a floured surface, place dough. Roll out dough into 15 inch circle. Sprinkle cornmeal over top, roll over to incorporate. Press dough into pizza pan, thumbing down edges to make the crust. Lightly drizzle honey over top of crust.

With a spoon or rubber spatula, spread gouda cheese sauce over the crust. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and caramelized onions on crust. Top with grated Gouda. Drizzle a little honey over top of cheese.

Place in oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Remove, slice and serve.