Grilled peaches, tangy goat cheese, jalapenos, and sweet balsamic are just some of the outstanding notes of today's pizza. It's a perfect way to enjoy the flavors of the season.
It's a decades old debate, but does fruit really belong on pizza?
Ask Gordon Ramsay and he'll tell you fruit- particularly pineapple- has no place on pizza. That should be enough to satisfy sceptics. Actually, it is enough for most...
Admittedly, I can be real a hard-nosed food snob. Haling from New York, when it comes to pizza, I have very strong opinions. The crust should be thin, but not too thin that it snaps if you fold it. Fresh is always better- dollops of soft cheese as opposed to grated, though I can be a bit more lenient on this rule. If you're using sauce, make it a thin layer; if you're using fresh tomatoes, make the slices thin but use beefsteak or cherry tomatoes (halved). I prefer fresh herbs or seasoned oil rather than meat toppings- if you do choose meat, choose one. We won't even speak about pasta on pizza. Also, hold the fruit.
I had some peaches on the counter and a package of goat cheese that I had no idea what to do with. Then I got this wild idea to make a pizza with the two and finishing it off with a balsamic glaze.
I hope you liked this recipe. If you are as addicted about cooking pizza as I am and ready to turn your passion for cooking into a career, try to find a pizzaiolo job and let the adventure begin!
As I was savoring this unexpected impromptu meal, I realized something- I had just broken my own rule.
I had an internal moment of reflection, maybe you could even call it a revelation- an awakening? What else had I been wrong about?
As stubborn as I may be, I'm also pretty damn humble. In today's case, I have no problem admitting I might have been wrong about fruit on pizza since I'm taking credit for said pizza. Who knows, maybe pineapple does belong on pizza...(verdict coming soon).
There are some important takeaways from today's recipe (aside from the fact that fruit on pizza is actually damn delicious). I grilled the peaches and topped them on the pizza after it was done baking. I did this for two reasons: 1) if your peaches are juicy and very ripe, you don't want that juice baking out onto the pizza. 2) there is no reason to cook your peaches twice.
The next important note is the balsamic. I love this balsamic glaze but you can certainly make your own balsamic reduction. The balsamic vinegar really ties the flavor profile together. It's a perfect combination of sweet, spicy salty, and tangy.
The result is a pizza that is light but also satisfying. There are no heavy sauces here, hearty meats, or even an overabundance of cheese. The flavors are fresh and playful. Truly a perfect summer edit as far as pizza goes.
Grilled Peach & Goat Cheese Pizza
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 pizzas 1x
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 cups AP flour
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Toppings:
- 2 peaches, sliced (best if the peaches are slightly underripe)
- 2 jalapenos, sliced
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
- Handful fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Balsamic glaze, for serving
Instructions
- Begin by proofing your yeast by dissolving the yeast and sugar into a cup of warm water. Let stand for about 10 minutes until the yeast has risen and frothed.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add the proofed yeast and olive oil. Mix until a soft, sticky dough comes together. Cover and let rise until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- On a well-floured surface, turn your dough out. Divide the dough into and roll out into two 10-inch rounds. Dust your pizza trays with cornmeal and transfer your doughs onto the prepared trays.
- Top the pizzas with the tomatoes, capers, goat cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, red pepper, and oregano. (Don't add the fresh basil until the end otherwise it will burn). Drizzle each pizza with a tablespoon of olive oil and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
- While the pizzas are baking, grill your peaches and jalapenos. Once the pizzas are fresh out of the oven, add the peaches, peppers, and fresh basil. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze and serve!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
angiesrecipes says
This looks mega delicious!
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, This is an interesting pizza. We've never tried a pizza with fruit on it but I would give this one a try with the goat cheese, peaches, balsamic drizzle, etc. Interesting... Sorry to tell you but we never stick to just one meat on our pizza. Our 'go to' pizza is thin crust with pepperoni and spicy Italian sausage. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Marysa says
What an interesting combination of flavors. I would like to try the combination of goat cheese with peaches! It is peach season here and a great time to try this recipe.
Rhian Westbury says
The goats cheese and balsamic glaze sounds tasty but I'm not a peaches fan off or on pizza, but it's a good way to use up ingredients you have leftover x
Melissa Dixon says
What a unique combo! It sounds like the perfect thing to break us out of our slump of eating the same old boring foods.
Carleen says
What a great idea for pizza! Personally I am pro fruit on pizza and love pineapple on it. I also love grilled peaches, so this recipe very much intrigues me.
Jupiter Hadley says
What a fun and refreshing pizza! It looks so fancy too.
Paula Richie says
This recipe sounds tasty...sans peaches for us. I see that you put a strike-thru on that sentence LOL.
Yeah Lifestyle says
What a flavoursome pizza topping. I would have never considered it but now intrigued to give this a try
Cynthia Nicoletti says
Have never had peaches on pizza. Such a great idea.