Fall Pizza

Looking for a different kind of pizza? This is IT! These flavors together are amazing--fontina is one of my favorite cheeses. I cheated and purchsed a thin pre-made pizza crust instead of doing one from scratch to save some time. I strongly recommend this great fall pie! And yes...I am starting to really like this turkey bacon in small doses and with other flavors (I don't like the smokey flavor of most full fat pork bacon and this stuff doesn't have that).

Pizza with Winter Squash and Bacon



















Ingredients
Dough:
1 teaspoon sugar
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (about 10 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon cornmeal

Topping:
3 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup chopped onion ( I made sure to use a sweet onion)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage (use more for more flavor!)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded fontina cheese (have the cheese people cut you 4 oz.)
2 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled (I used turkey bacon)


Preparation
To prepare dough, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 1 cup flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt to yeast mixture; stir well. Add 1 cup flour, stirring well. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes); add enough of remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).
Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (Press two fingers into dough. If an indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)

Preheat oven to 450°.

Punch dough down; cover and let rest 5 minutes. Roll dough into a 14 x 12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Place dough on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray and sprinkled with cornmeal. Crimp edges of dough with fingers to form a rim. Bake at 450° for 5 minutes.

To prepare topping, combine squash, onion, and oil in a large bowl, tossing to coat. Place on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450° for 25 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Sprinkle with sage, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper; toss to combine.

Set half of squash mixture aside. Combine remaining half of squash mixture and broth in a medium bowl; mash with a fork until smooth. Spread mashed squash mixture over pizza crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with remaining squash mixture, cheese, and bacon. Bake at 450° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Place the pizza on a cutting board; cut into 8 equal pieces.

Note: To freeze, let the dough rise once, punch down, and shape into a ball. Place in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag coated with cooking spray; squeeze out all air, and seal. Store in freezer for up to one month. To thaw, place dough in refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight. With scissors, cut away the plastic bag. Place dough on a floured surface, and shape according to recipe directions.

Yield
8 servings (serving size: 1 piece)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 226; FAT 6.1g; PROTEIN 8.6g; FIBER 2.3g