Sausage, Onion and Fennel Pizza

This recipe was so fun to make because it used ingredients I had never used before, let alone seen. Fennel bulb is kind of a cross between an onion and celery, but it taste like licorice (yum!). To use the bulb, chop off the stalks close to the bulb, take the core out, and slice vertically like an onion. I had also never used Gouda cheese on a pizza, and it was delicious. It's definitely "milkier" than mozzarella cheese which is a nice neutralizer to the sweetness of the fennel and onion. This dish is a little expensive for everyday weeknight meals, but well worth stepping outside of the box for pizza. I hope you enjoy!

• 3 oz of chicken or turkey sausage, sliced then chopped
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups vertically sliced sweet onion
• 1 cup thinly sliced fennel bulb, about 1 small bulb
• 1/4 tsp salt
• your favorite pizza crust (I used Pillsbury from a can)
• 3/4 cup shredded Gouda cheese
• chives (optional)
  

1. Follow directions on Pillsbury can for pizza crust, or preheat oven to 450 degrees for pre-baked crust.
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook for 4 minutes until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from pan.
3. Heat 2 tsp olive oil in pan. Add fennel, onion, and 1/4 tsp salt to pan. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
4. Top crust evenly with onion mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and top evenly with sausage. Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with chives.
5. Cut into 8 wedges (serving 2 wedges)