Caramelized Onion and Apple Grilled Pizza

Each slice of this caramelized onion and apple grilled pizza with blue cheese and walnuts has the smoky grilled flavor of summer along with the comfort of autumn.

I need to be reintroduced to my fall wardrobe.

It is amazing how quickly things go from bare legs to tights, but in my brain that was an eternity ago.

I’ve been struggling with what to wear to the point that I’ve even been donning a coat from my pregnant days.

Even though I swear it doesn’t look maternity as long as it’s not zipped. I know I need to find new outerwear.

In my limited online shopping, I haven’t come across a replacement for THE coat yet.

That doesn’t mean I am avoiding the great outdoors.

Over the weekend I threw on my trusty jacket before I headed out to the grill armed with a flashlight.

This was all in an effort to keep my grilling game going strong despite the shorter days.

I made a caramelized onion and apple grilled pizza with blue cheese and walnuts.

A little bit salty and sweet, each slice had the smoky grilled flavor of summer along with the comfort of autumn.

This year I am inspired to bundle up to grill more often. Of course, check back with me in February. I have my limits!
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How To Make A Caramelized Onion and Apple Grilled Pizza

First, I made the dough–the expected combination of flour, salt, water, yeast, olive oil and just a little sugar to help activate the yeast.

While it rose, I had plenty of time to prep the onions.

To caramelize the red onions, I slowly cooked them in olive oil and butter until they turned deep brown.

Anytime I thought the onions were darkening too fast, I added a little water to the pan.

With the onions ready and the dough doubled in volume, I preheated the grill.

I rolled out the dough and grilled it on both sides.

Then I topped the pizza with the onions, thinly sliced apples, sliced scallions, chopped walnuts and blue cheese.

Finally, I put the pizza back on the grill for a couple minutes to let the cheese melt.

Caramelized Onion and Apple Grilled Pizza

• Author: Paige Adams
• Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 21-23 minutes
• Yield: 1 12-inch pizza 1x

Each slice of this caramelized onion and apple grilled pizza with blue cheese and walnuts has the smoky grilled flavor of summer along with the comfort of autumn.

Ingredients

2/3 cup warm water

1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

2 teaspoons olive oil plus more for bowl and pizza

1–1/2 cups bread flour plus more for work surface

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 tablespoon butter

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1 apple, cored and thinly sliced

1 scallion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Instructions

For the dough, combine the water, yeast, sugar and olive oil and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until it forms a shaggy dough.  Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. (Alternatively, the dough can be mixed in the bowl of a stand mixer using a dough hook.)

Gather the dough into a ball, transfer to an oiled bowl and cover. Place the bowl in a warm spot to allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours.

For the caramelized onions, place 1 teaspoon olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, stir in the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining sugar and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for an additional 30 minutes until the onions are browned and caramelized. If the onions start to burn, lower the heat and add a tablespoon of water.

Heat a gas or charcoal grill on high heat. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rough circle 12-inch diameter circle.

Place the dough directly on the grates and grill for 2-3 minutes with the lid closed until the crust has grill marks and has puffed up. Turn over the crust and grill for an additional 2 -3 minutes.

Remove the crust from the grill and flip it over so the first side that was grilled is facing down. Drizzle with olive oil and arrange the apples, onions, scallions, walnuts and blue cheese on top leaving a 1/2-inch border. Return the pizza to the grill and cook until the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with chives before serving.