Three Cheese Pizza Bread With Chicken Sausage & Kale (Or Spinach)

This pizza is both gourmet and rustic. (Spinach 
and garlic are two of my favorite pizza toppings.)

Ingredients:
10 - 12 kale leaves with stems removed (to substitute spinach, see notes)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound chicken sausage (casings removed)
1 1/2 cups of fresh ricotta cheese
4 cloves garlic, chopped and sauteed
1 1/4 cups grated parmesan cheese (not powdered)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves)
pepper
4 square ciabatta rolls, split, or 1 14 - 16 inch loaf cut into 4 sections
3/4 pound mozzarella or fontina cheese

Method:
In a large pot, bring a few inches of water to a boil. Add the kale and boil for 3 minutes. Drain the kale, then plunge into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking. Shake, then pat with paper towels. Chop finely and set aside.
Preheat oven to 400*. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, crumbling, until browned, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/4 cup parmesan, garlic, remaining tablespoon of oil, thyme and ground black pepper to taste. Spread the cheese mixture upon the bread slices, then evenly top with the sausage, kale, mozzarella and remaining parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Makes 8 pieces of pizza bread.

Notes:
To substitute spinach for the kale, chop about 4 cups of spinach leaves and quickly wilt, while stirring, in a frying pan over medium heat.