Mushroom Leek Pizza for Mushroom Lovers

Sharon123's Note:

The dried porcini mushrooms add depth and a wonderful earthy flavor to this elegant winner of a pizza. Great for watching your favorite TV shows, weeknight dinners, even yummy enough for company! Serve with a big salad. Adapted from Fields of Greens Cookbook.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 15

• 1/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (soaked in 1/2 cup warm water for about 10 minutes)
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 lb white mushroom, thickly sliced (about 3 cups, use baby bellas if you like)
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 2 large leeks, white parts only, cut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced, washed (about 3 cups-I use some of the green part too)
• 2 -3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (or use vegetable stock or grape juice)
• pizza dough (homemade or storebought)
• olive oil (if you have garlic oil, use that)
• 1/4 lb gruyere cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 ounce parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/3 cup (or more)

Directions:

1. Pour the porcini mushrooms into a fine strainer and save the liquid to use later. If the liquid is sandy, let the sand settle, then carefully pour offf the liquid. Finely chop the porcini, discarding any pieces that are gritty or hard. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 tbls. of the olive oil in a saute pan and sear the white mushrooms over high heat with 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. As the mushrooms cook, they will release their juices; then the juices will evaporate and the mushrooms will begin to sear. At this point they'll begin to stick to the pan, but don't stir them. Cook over high heat until they're golden, then stir once and continue to sear for 1-2 minutes. Add the porcini soaking liquid to loosen the pan juices, then simmer for a few minutes, until the pan is nearly dry. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Heat the remaining tbls. of oil in the saute pan and add the leeks. Saute over medium heat with 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper; when they begin to soften, in about 3 minutes, add the garlic and porcini mushrooms. Cover the pan and steam for 5-6 minutes, until leeks are tender. Add the wine to deglaze the pan, then simmer for a few minutes, until the pan is nearly dry. Add to the mushrooms, then set aside to cool. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Preheat the oven to 500*F. Place dough on a lightly oiled pizza pan(or pizza stone); brush with olive oil. Spread the mushroom/leek mixture over the dough. Save a little of the Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top after baking and toss the rest of the cheeses together. Sprinkle over the pizza.
5. Bake the pizza, in the pan for 8-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp. Remove it from the oven and sprinkle on the remaining Parmesan.
6. This makes one 15" or two 9" pizzas.
7. Enjoy!