Food for Friends

I have this friend named Teresa. Maybe you know her and her lovely blog Meadowbrook Farm? She's not just my blog friend. She has actually slept under my roof, although it's been much too long since that happened. This has bumped her into IRL friend status. One of my favorite things about T (that's what I call her because we're IRL friends, remember?) is her Carrot Cake Recipe. I love her wit, charm and sweetness too but geez that Carrot Cake is ridiculous and I can't even tell you how many of our family celebrations have been marked with the baking of one. Maddie made it for Mother's Day yesterday. She has become quite the expert at this particular cake. Look at that lovely swirling frosting. She informed me she learned her technique from Martha. I'm not sure I will be any prouder when she graduates from college than I was at that moment.

So all of this makes what I have to tell you that much more embarrassing. T has been begging me to blog my Caramelized Onion and Sausage Pizza for ages. It's not even my recipe but belongs to Giada and I have just tweaked a couple of tiny things. I'm kind of a terrible friend. No wonder she hasn't come back to see me. Since I requested this pizza for Mother's Day it seemed like the right time to finally blog it for her. Only I was so busy being Queen for the day, that all I managed to capture was this one quick picture.

Caramelized Onion and Sausage Pizza
Prepare pizza dough (I use Trader Joe's fresh dough)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
2 red onions thinly sliced
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp pepper
10 oz pkg Italian sausage
4 oz gorgonzola or blue cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Put olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage and cook, stirring constantly, until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Drizzle pizza dough with olive oil. Spread the onion mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Grill pizza for aproximately 10-12 minutes turning 1/4 turn every few minutes to prevent burning the crust. Sprinkle with chopped basil before serving.

This pizza grill pan is our secret weapon. We own two because two is almost always better than one.

So there you go T! Now you can finally make it, although, I think you and I both know you should just get on a plane and have me make it for you.