Pizza with Grilled artichokes, Spinach, Oyster mushrooms and Truffle studded Pecorino cheese

   I love discovering new cheeses when I am out shopping.  With great anticipation I get home, crack open the packaging and give it a taste test.  If I like the way it tastes, the next test is to see how well it melts.  What better way to do this than on a pizza. 

   In sampling it I try to figure out  which ingredients would pair nicely with my new found cheese.  The taste , texture are swirled around in my mouth as I make virtual combinations in my mind to make a final decision.

Based on the partnership between a small farming community in Northern Italy and Canada, Ramelli has produced this incredible Pecorino al Tartufo (sheep's milk cheese with truffles). Quite frankly, I love this cheese!

Soft, yet slightly firm this pecorino infused with chunks of some of northern Italy's finest truffles  has a creamy texture, mild earthy taste with small explosions of decadent truffle. On to the pizza.

I wanted to create a pizza that would compliment the cheese so I figured it also had to be mild with some bold flavor punches.  Earthy oyster mushrooms paired extremely well with the truffle.  The sauted spinach and onion added another layer of flavor and the grilled artichokes rounded it all out for a fantastic finish.  The pecorino paired with some fresh mozzarella added the perfect amount of moisture and melted goodness to grab on to the crust and all the ingredients for a great big group hug.

This will definitely be added to my list of favorites.



Ingredients



1 Pizza dough

1/2 of a  Fresh Mozzarella

1/4 cup diced Pecorino al Tartufo cheese

1 cup fresh Baby spinach

4 oyster mushrooms cut in strips

1/2 of a small red onion

5 small grilled artichokes (available in jars at your supermarket)

Extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp dried oregano

Salt and pepper

Saute mushrooms and onion in a little olive oil for 4 minutes on high heat.  Remove from heat and add spinach, salt, pepper and mix well then let cool. The heat from the onion and mushroom will cook the baby spinach.

On a floured surface roll out pizza dough, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano and place chunks of fresh mozzarella evenly on dough surface.

Add sauteed mushrooms, onions and spinach then add artichokes cut in quarters and sprinkle with the diced pecorino al tartufo cheese.

 Place pizza in a 500f oven and bake for 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling.

Remove pizza from oven and cool slightly before cutting.

When an ingredient gives you inspiration to cook, the results can be incredible.  A truly decadent combination of ingredients that work really well together for a truly memorable pizza.