The smell of French bread gets me every time. So much that I’m willing to hire legit parisian chefs to bake in my kitchen all day, everyday, just so I can breathe in that authentic bread aroma.
A girl can dream…
On another note, this is probably one of the girliest pizzas out there.
Balsamic drizzle = girl move.
Fig butter = have men even heard of this?
Fontina = a cheese other than mozzarella, parm or cheddar. My point exactly.
French Bread = SO GIRLY! But so damn good and the boys know it.
A mans pizza consists of regular pizza bread, marinara sauce, lots of italian cheese and meat toppings. The funny thing is, I am all about that sort of pizza. Any (good quality) pizza for that matter is bound to be good in my book. BBQ pizza, Thai chicken pizza, Spicy Mexican pizza, extra cheese pizza, and French Bread Pizza…
This was my first time using French Bread as a pizza crust base. LOVED it. And usually I’m all about homemade crust or opting for a baked pita bread. But French bread is just classier, and the smell is all I need in life to feel at peace. Plus wine and chocolate.
No other bread compares to a fresh french loaf. It is soft, doughy and perfectly crisp around the edges. Then you spread it with fig butter and fontina cheese and you watch it ooze and melt as it bakes in the oven. Then you top it off with a balsamic reduction and you’ve suddenly forgotten that it’s Monday and all the worries of the week disappear
Gah, I love food enthusiasm. And seriously every Monday should start with an off-the-hook meal or dessert or snack. We all need to start the week off with the satisfaction of a good meal, because the stress of life seems less relevant afterwards. It really works, promise.
In this case I chose French bread, cheese and some sweet fig spread. The salt + sweet combo is to-die-for swooshed into fresh bread. If you’re looking for an alternative, and somewhat healthier way to enjoy pizza, this is for you. People seem to hate on bread and carbs but in all honesty there is no reason to completely cut that out of your diet if you don’t need to.
I always try to find good quality bread and one that contains more fiber, less sodium and no weird additives/preservatives. Life is about balance and bread is something I will never completely restrict myself from. Food is meant to be enjoyed and if you can gain some healthy benefit from it, by all means EAT UP!
It is very satisfying buying a fresh loaf of bread because I truly appreciate the process behind making it. The kneading, the rising, the baking, the bready smell it leaves in your kitchen…it’s soothing and sometimes an all day thing. So it feels good getting a batch from Trader Joe’s and supporting those hard working bread-making people! I suggest you do the same and slather some girly toppings on it 
This works great as an appetizer with prosciutto on top or alongside a meal! If using proscuitto as a topping, just bake it with the cheese and it will get nice and crispy!
P.S. My next mission is to make a delicious homemade french bread loaf…it has to be done.
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Balsamic, Fig & Fontina French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 whole grain French bread loaf
- 1 cup fig butter, softened
- 1/2 cup-1 cup Fontina Cheese
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- Prosciutto
- Arugala
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice your french loaf in half, then cut again to make 4 total slices. Brush each piece with olive oil.
- Bake in the oven for 5 minutes then remove and evenly spread fig butter over each slice. Sprinkle fontina cheese and optional prosciutto on top as well.
- Place back in the oven for another 8 minutes. Set to broil for 1 minute to get an extra crisp if you would like.
- While the french breads are baking heat balsamic in a skillet over medium heat. Continually stir until it starts to boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to thicken. It should take about 5-10 minutes total.
- Once pizzas are done garnish with arugala and balsamic reduction. Cut into smaller pieces if desired and serve immediately
