3650. CARAMELIZED ONION and PEPPERED BACON FLATBREAD

makes 24 servings 


1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 slices thick-sliced bacon
4 cups thinly sliced sweet onion (about 1 lb)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 can Pillsbury™ refrigerated thin pizza crust
1 can (14.5 oz) organic diced tomatoes, drained
2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves 

Heat oven to 400°F. Line 15x10-inch pan with sides with aluminum foil. Place cooling rack in pan. In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, combine brown sugar, black pepper and cayenne; shake to combine. Separate bacon slices and place in bag; shake to coat. Place bacon on rack in pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, turning once halfway through baking, or until bacon is browned and thoroughly cooked. Cool completely. Chop bacon; set aside.

Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook onions and garlic in butter over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onions are golden brown. Remove from heat; set aside. Spray15x10-inch pan with sides with cooking spray. Unroll pizza crust dough in pan; press dough to edges of pan. Bake 7 minutes. Remove from oven.

Spread onion mixture over partially baked crust; top with drained tomatoes. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; top with bacon. Bake 7 to 11 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheeses are melted. Remove from oven; sprinkle with basil.


bacon recipe source: Dawn Logterman, Janesville, Wisconsin, Bake-Off® Contest 45, 2012; Pillsbury.com, Pillsbury, General Mills, Inc., P.O. Box 9452, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440