The earthy flavor of this pizza is nicely balanced between the rich mushroom and pungent fresh sage. Dried sage will do, but is not as aromatic as fresh. Because the flavors are intense, this pizza is better served as an appetizer than a main dish.

Makes eight 6-inch pizzas

ACTIVE TIME: 1 1/4 hours

TOTAL TIME: 1 1/4 hours

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 cups sliced wild and/or cultivated mushrooms, such as chanterelles, cepes, shiitake, oyster, button (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2 cups sliced onions (2 medium)
Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
1 recipe Quick-Rising Pizza Dough (recipe follows)
Cornmeal for dusting pizza peel
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
4 teaspoons chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried, rubbed

1. Heat oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onions and sauté until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
2. Place a pizza stone, baking tiles or an inverted baking sheet on the lowest rack of the oven; preheat to 500°F or the highest oven setting. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Using your fists, stretch one piece into a 6-inch round. Alternatively, with a rolling pin, roll out on a lightly floured surface. (Keep remaining dough covered with a towel or plastic wrap.) Place on a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet, using enough cornmeal so that the dough slides easily. Stretch or roll a second round of dough and place beside the first.
3. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons mozzarella over each round. Arrange 1/3 cup mushroom-onion mixture evenly over the cheese. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon fresh sage (or a 1/8 teaspoon dried).
4. Carefully slide the pizzas onto the heated pizza stone, baking tiles or baking sheet and bake until the bottoms are crisp and browned,10 to 14 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 207 calories; 5 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 9 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrate; 10 g protein; 3 g fiber; 713 mg sodium; 348 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Selenium (28% daily value), Folate (27% dv), Vitamin C (19% dv).
2 Carbohydrate Servings

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