Foodie Fridays: Mozzarella Pine Nut White Pizza

Any cheese lover absolutely must try some variation of the recipe for Burrata Pistachio White Pizza from The Almond Eater blog!  I had neither burrata nor pistachios in the house, but I did have fresh mozzarella and pine nuts, both of which turned out to be great substitutes.  I did happen to have store-bought refrigerated thin-crust pizza dough in my fridge (from the dairy section of our local Fresh Market), but your favorite version of a pizza crust should work just fine.  I used more arugula than called for in the original recipe, and next time I may use half the amount of shredded mozzarella as there was more than enough cheese on this pizza, but the combination of flavors was wonderful and unlike any pizza I have had before.  If you love cheesy pizza, give this recipe a try!

Mozzarella Pine Nut White Pizza

1 pizza crust (store-bought or homemade, preferably thin), unbaked
3 T. olive oil
1/2 C. thinly sliced red onion
2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
6 oz. fresh mozzarella slices (1/2 of a 12 oz. package, or seven slices)
1/4 C. pine nuts
1-2 C. fresh arugula

Roll out the pizza dough if needed and fit into a large baking or pizza pan.  Drizzle with 2 T. olive oil.  Heat the remaining oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat.  Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion.  Cook until the onion is soft and just starting to caramelize.  Scatter the cooked onion over the top of the pizza dough.

Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top of the onions.  Top with the fresh mozzarella slices, spacing them evenly over the pizza.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Remove the pizza from the oven.  Scatter the pine nuts evenly over the top.  Place the arugula in an even layer over the pine nuts and spray with a bit of cooking spray.  Return to the oven and bake for five more minutes.  Turn off the oven, crack the door open a few inches, and let the pizza rest in the oven for about three minutes.  Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve.  Serves 4-6.