Sweet stone fruit is balanced by salty blue cheese, pesto and prosciutto on this richly flavored pizza. Try it with a simple salad for supper or offer it as a tasty starter for your next barbecue. Beer pairing: A well-balanced beer like an Extra Special Bitter (ESB) works well with this multifaceted pizza.

Makes 6 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 35 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
Yellow cornmeal for dusting
1 pound Easy Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough or other prepared dough
3 tablespoons prepared basil pesto
1/2 cup thinly sliced prosciutto (about 2 ounces)
1 large ripe nectarine or peach or 2 fresh apricots, pitted and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat grill to low. (For charcoal grilling or an oven variation, see below.)
2. Mix provolone and blue cheese in a medium bowl; set aside.
3. Sprinkle cornmeal onto a pizza peel or large baking sheet. Roll out the dough (see To Roll Out Pizza Dough, below) and transfer it to the prepared peel or baking sheet, making sure the underside of the dough is completely coated with cornmeal.
4. Slide the crust onto the grill rack; close the lid. Cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Using a large spatula, flip the crust. Spread pesto on the crust, leaving a 1-inch border. Quickly sprinkle three-fourths of the cheese mixture on top. Top with prosciutto slices, fruit and the remaining cheese.
6. Close the lid again and grill until the cheese has melted and the bottom of the crust has browned, about 8 minutes.
7. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the pizza and season with pepper just before slicing and serving.

Variations:
Pizza on a charcoal grill: Light 6 quarts (about 1 large chimney starter full) of charcoal and burn until the coals are mostly white, about 20 minutes. Spread the coals in an even layer. Place a grate over the coals. Let the coals burn until they are about medium-low. (Grill any toppings for the pizza while the coals are burning down.) To test the heat, hold your palm about 5 inches above the grill rack; if you can hold it there for about 8 seconds before you need to move it away, the fire is medium-low. Transfer the crust to the grill rack, cover the grill and cook the crust, checking once or twice, until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the crust, quickly add the toppings, cover the grill and cook until the toppings are hot and the bottom of the crust has browned, 5 to 8 minutes. If your crust browns faster than your toppings are cooking, slide a baking sheet under the pizza to keep the crust from burning while the toppings finish.

Pizza in the oven: Place a pizza stone on the lowest rack; preheat oven to 450°F for at least 20 minutes. Roll out the dough and place on a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel or inverted baking sheet, using enough cornmeal so that the dough slides easily. Slide the dough onto the preheated stone and cook until the bottom begins to crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven using a large spatula and place it uncooked-side down on the peel or baking sheet, making sure the underside of the crust is completely coated with cornmeal. Quickly add the toppings and slide the pizza back onto the stone. Continue baking until the toppings are hot and the bottom of the crust has browned, 12 to 15 minutes.

Individual variation:
The dough can be turned into 4 or 6 personal-size pizzas. After kneading, divide the dough into 4 or 6 equal balls. Brush with oil and place 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Cover and set aside until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Roll each portion into a 6-to-8-inch circle.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 299 calories; 11 g fat (5 g sat, 4 g mono); 23 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrate; 15 g protein; 4 g fiber; 695 mg sodium; 234 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Folate (28% daily value), Calcium (20% dv), Iron (15% dv).
2 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1 high-fat meat, 1 fat

TIP: Tip: To roll out pizza dough: When you’re ready to get your pizzas on the grill, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Dust the top with flour; dimple with your fingertips to shape into a thick, flattened circle—don’t worry if it’s not perfectly symmetrical. Then use a rolling pin to roll into a circle about 14 inches in diameter.

RELATED RECIPES: Easy Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough

Lovely!! This Pizza was a hit in our house. The sweet and savory combinations were delightful! We will make this again!!

Leding Clan, Santa Cruz, CA