Caramelized Onion And White Bean Flatbread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 large onions, thinly sliced lengthwise
6 -8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
20 ounces prepared whole wheat pizza dough, thawed if frozen
2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground coarse black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can white beans, rinsed
3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup finely shredded smoked gouda cheese or 1 cup cheddar cheese
nonstick cooking spray
GARNISH
toasted pumpkin seeds or toasted chopped pine nuts

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450\u00b0F.
Place oven rack in the lowest positions.
Combine 2-1/2 tablespoons oil, onions and salt in a medium saucepan.
Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the onion is softened, about 7-9 minutes.
Now add 1-1/2 tablespoons more of oil, a little bit at a time, and add mushrooms and cook about 4 minutes longer.
Liquid needs to be absorbed.
Cook for another 5-7 minutes reducing heat to medium-low, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden.
Meanwhile, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to the size of the baking sheet.
Bake until puffed and lightly crisped on the bottom, 8-10 minutes.
Stir oregano and pepper into the onion-mushroom mixture.
Transfer, half the onion mixture to a small bowl.
Add beans to the remaining onion mixture;, cook over medium heat, stirring often, until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
Transfer the bean mixture to a food processor, add water and vinegar and pulse until a coarse paste forms.
Spread the bean paste over the pizza crust.
Top with the reserved onion, tomatoes,cheese and pepitas,or sunflower seeds or pine nuts, if using.
Bake on the bottom rack until the crust is crispy and golden and the cheese is melted, 11-13 minutes.
Slice and serve.