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Spicy Sausage and Fennel Pizza
Makes 4 servings
Both the fennel and sausage can be prepared up to a day in advance. Pizza dough and tomato sauce can be store bought, or simply make your own dough and sauce.
Ingredients
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into ¼ inch wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon sugar
½ pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
1 small ball pizza dough
½ cup tomato sauce
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, shredded or finely diced
¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the fennel together with the olive oil, salt, and sugar. Arrange the fennel in one layer on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until brown and tender. Set aside.
In the meantime, brown the sausage in a medium nonstick skillet over high heat, breaking up the pieces with your spatula to form small ½-inch chunks. Cook until fully browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Pour out some of the fat from the pan, and set the sausage aside.
Turn the heat up to 500 degrees.
On a floured cutting board or work surface, roll the pizza dough out, or use your fingers to stretch it. Line a baking sheet or pizza stone with parchment paper, and lightly brush it with oil. Place the dough on the sheet or stone, and press out the edges until the surface area is covered.
Spoon sauce over the dough and spread it in one even layer. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top, and arrange the sausage and fennel evenly on the surface. Sprinkle with the parmesan and some red pepper flakes if you want to up the heat.
Bake in the oven until the crust is brown and the cheese is melted, about 8-10 minutes. Return the pie to the cutting board, let rest for a minute, then cut into slices, and serve!