Walnut, Pear and Prosciutto Pizza

From: Chef Christian Masse, Allez, El Dorado, CA. Yield: 6 servings.

4 pears, firm but ripe, peeled, halved and cored

6 Tbsp. butter

¼ cup sherry

¼ lb. creamy blue cheese, broken into small pieces

¼ lb. prosciutto, cut into thin strips

1 cup chopped California walnuts

1 pre-made pizza dough, prepared on 14" pan or cookie sheet

Preheat oven to recommended temperature for your pizza dough.

Slice pear halves thinly. Melt butter in saute pan or large skillet over moderate heat. Add pears; stir and toss to coat with butter. Cook pears, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until slices have browned lightly, softened and cooked down to about ⅓ original volume. Add sherry; cook 2 more minutes until mostly evaporated. Set pears aside off heat. Have blue cheese, prosciutto and walnuts at hand.

Spread pears over prepared dough, distribute blue cheese and prosciutto over pears and sprinkle walnuts on top. Bake 20-25 minutes, or time recommended for dough, until edges of crust are crisp and browned. Remove from oven, cut into wedges or squares and serve.