Pizza for Dinner

This is what I like to make when I don't feel like something easy.  I buy the pizza dough already made although there is a great no knead pizza dough that I like too.  You just have to know that you are going to have pizza the night before if you want to make your own crust.  I'll list the recipe for that crust as well.  You can also buy an already partially cooked one.

This is my favorite pizza that I make.  It's a chicken pizza with caramelized red onions and 4 different cheese and fresh basil.  Yum!

I like a really hot oven to bake a good pizza and a pizza stone.  Heat the oven to 475 degrees.  Place the rack on the top 2/3's of the oven.  Now is the time to caramelize the red onions.  Cut a large red onion into rings and saute in a medium skillet with about 2 tablespoons of butter.  Once the onions are soft and not brown add 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar and 1/4 of brown sugar.  Let it cook over medium heat until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Now it's time to spread the dough out on a pizza pan and cook for about 10 mins.  Don't let it brown yet.  Remove and set aside.  Put the pizza stone in the oven and let it heat for 10 mins.  While the stone is heating start adding the ingredients to the crust.  I think tomato paste makes the best pizza sauce and it's easy.  Spread the tomato sauce evenly on the crust.  Chop up some already cooked chicken and sprinkle over the crust.  Add the caramelized onions next and then fresh chopped basil and finally the cheese.  I use a blend of Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina and Provolone cheeses.  Trader Joe's makes a blend of these cheeses already shredded.  Take the pizza stone out of the oven and lightly sprinkle with corn meal.  Place the pizza on the stone being very careful not to touch the stone.  It's super hot!  Put back in the oven and cook for 10 mins or until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbly and brown.  Let it set for about 5 mins. after you pull it from the oven before you cut it.  Enjoy!!!!!

Try it with shrimp!!!!!