PIZZA WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS, BELGIAN ENDIVE, GORGONZOLA, AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Put the onions, olive oil, thyme sprig, and a large pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, moist, and steaming in their own juices but not browned, about 30 minutes. Uncover, raise the heat to medium, and continue cooking, stirring often, until the onions are well caramelized and meltingly tender, 15 minutes or more depending on how moist they are.
• Cut the endives crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Separate into individual layers. Discard the cores. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, endive, sugar, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Cook until the endives are soft and tender, stirring occasionally to prevent browning, 5 to 10 minutes. You should have about 1 cup.
• Bring the balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• At least 45 minutes before baking, put a pizza stone on a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to its highest setting (500°F to 550°F).
• With lightly floured fingers on a lightly floured work surface, flatten a ball of pizza dough into a round. Pick up the round with both hands and, grasping the round by an edge, rotate the dough clockwise between your fingertips, always holding it by the edge. As you rotate the dough, stretch it into an 8-inch circle; the dough will also stretch and lengthen from its own weight. Alternatively, drape the flattened round over your lightly floured knuckles and rotate the dough, moving your knuckles slightly farther apart, until the round stretches into an 8-inch circle.
• Place the dough on a pizza peel lightly dusted with cornmeal or durum flour. Work quickly now to prevent sticking.
• Spread one-quarter of the onion mixture over the dough. Scatter about 1/4 cup endive over the onions, then place several small spoonfuls of the cheese on top, using a total of 1 1/2 ounces. Slide onto the pizza stone and bake until the crust is brown and crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Scatter 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of parsley on top and drizzle with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the balsamic syrup. Cut into serving slices and serve while still warm. Repeat with the remaining 3 balls of dough.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon or another full-bodied red wine.