Hot In Little Rock

Pizza is a Sunday night favorite in our family and has been for two generations now.  But, there are times when pizza becomes a delicious appetizer, especially when paired with a superb wine.  The pizza is made with a selection of mushrooms, gruyere, and topped with arugula.  The wine is a 2006 Dierberg Pinot Noir.

First the pizza:  We make our own dough by combining 2 cups of flour, a packet of instant yeast, and up to a cup of warm water in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook.  Knead for at least a minute (or longer) then cover and let rise.  When the dough has doubled, knead it again briefly and turn out onto a surface dusted with cornmeal.  Let it rest for a few minutes, then stretch (or roll) into a large circle, with the dough about ¼ inch thick.  Using a biscuit cutter, create as many small, 2-bite size pizza crusts as the dough will allow and place them on a large baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.  It should take about 6 oz of shredded Gruyere cheese to top each of the individual pizzas.

For the topping, cut about a pound of mushrooms into equal slices, toss in a bit of olive oil and salt and place on a baking tray.  Roast in a hot over (500 degrees) for 7-10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and distribute equally on the pizzas. Bake at 500 degrees until edges of the pizzas are golden and the cheese is bubbling.  Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes.  Meanwhile, toss 3 cups of fresh arugula in the juice of one lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.  Top each pizza with a bit of the salad and serve.

We’ve said before that we prefer Pinot Noirs that are a bit lighter than the usual American style.  The 2006 Dierberg Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley is nothing less than perfect.  Aromas of earth and wild berries greet the nose, and on the palate there is the addition of some mocha and sage.  To say we loved it, loved it, loved it, is not to say enough.  This is a heavenly wine that could be cellared for a few more years if one could stand to do that.

Sunday night or party night, these little pizzas and the delectable Dierberg Pinot Noir make anytime special.