Recipe: Potato, Roasted Radicchio and Thyme Pizza With White Wine Cream Sauce

We hope you enjoy this month’s featured recipe from the Forno Bravo Community Cookbook, written by our chef moderator Dan Compton. Want to add your own recipe? Take a few moments to create a free Community Cookbook account!

Potato, Roasted Radicchio and Thyme Pizza With White Wine Cream Sauce

For the crust recipe, refer to my pesto, asparagus and egg pizza recipe.

For the white wine cream sauce (enough for 4 pizzas):

• 4 T unsalted butter
• 1 C shallots, minced
• 1 1/2 C dry white wine
• 8 oz crème fraiche
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

For the pizza (enough to top 1 pie):

• 1 small Yukon gold potato
• 1 small head radicchio
• 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 T fresh thyme leaves
• 4 oz low-moisture mozzarella, shredded
• freshly grated parmesan cheese, as needed

To make the cream sauce, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Add the shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook slowly, stirring often, until well caramelized. Add the white wine and increase the heat to medium high. Bring to a boil and allow the wine to reduce until the pan is almost dry again. Remove from the heat and allow the shallot mixture to cool for 5 minutes. Place back over a low flame and whisk in the crème fraiche, mustard and remaining tablespoon of butter. Once incorporated, adjust the seasoning and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, peel the potato and slice into very thin rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife. Blanch the potato slices in the boiling water for 1 minute, or until tender but still holding their shape. Remove from the water and shock in an ice bath.

To prepare the radicchio, cut the head into quarters through the root end. Slice the core out of each quarter and then slice each quarter into thin strips. Heat a large sauté pan in your wood oven. Add the vegetable oil; when hot, add the sliced radicchio. Season with salt and pepper and roast in your oven, tossing frequently, until wilted and beginning to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and place in a strainer to allow any excess moisture to drain off.

To assemble the pizza, roll out your dough using your preferred method. Spread with a thin layer of the white wine cream sauce. Top with half the mozzarella. Shingle the potato slices over the surface of the pizza, then add the remaining mozzarella. Distribute the roasted radicchio over the pie. Sprinkle with the thyme leaves and finish with a dusting of freshly grated parmesan.

Transfer to your oven and cook until done. Remove and allow to cool for five minutes, then slice and serve.