Mushroom-Prosciutto Pizza

This simple pizza flavored with cremini mushrooms and Italian ham can be made in just about 20 minutes. This pizza makes an excellent meal, or cut into small pieces–the perfect party appetizer. You can omit the prosciutto altogether for a vegetarian option.

Yield:

4 servings

Ingredients

1. 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
2. 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
3. 1 garlic clove, minced
4. 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
5. 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
6. 1 (10-ounce) Italian cheese-flavored thin pizza crust (such as Boboli)
7. 2 ounces prosciutto, cut into thin strips
8. 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) shredded fontina cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and shallots to pan; sauté 7 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add garlic and thyme; sauté 1 minute. Stir in vinegar; remove from heat.
3. Place crust on the bottom rack of oven. Bake at 450° for 4 minutes.
4. Place the crust on a baking sheet. Spread mushroom mixture evenly over crust; sprinkle evenly with prosciutto and fontina cheese. Bake at 450° for 6 minutes or until cheese melts.

Notes

Tips: For a crisp crust, bake the pizza crust on the lowest rack for a few minutes before adding the toppings. Presliced button mushrooms can substitute for the creminis.