Ham Ricotta Pizzas With Pesto Food

RISOTTO WITH PEAS AND HAM

Steps:

• Heat the broth and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming; keep warm. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice; cook, stirring, until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add 3 cups hot broth to the rice; cook, stirring constantly, until mostly absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. Add 3 more cups hot broth; continue cooking, stirring, until the risotto is tender and thickened, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the peas, ham, cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in more hot broth if the risotto is too thick; season with salt and pepper. Top each serving with mint, more cheese and the lemon zest.

GRILLED PIZZA WITH RICOTTA AND PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot fire in your grill, or heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium heat.
• Roll the pizza dough into 8 small pizzas, each about 1/8-inch thick and 3 inches round.
• Lightly brush both sides of the pizzas with oil. Grill the pizzas over medium heat until the first side is nicely browned and firm to the touch, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the pizzas over on the grill. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of pesto on each pizza, spreading it to the edges. On top of each pizza, spoon 4 teaspoons of ricotta cheese, in little balls. Cook the pizzas until the ricotta just begins to melt, 3 to 5 minutes from the moment you turned the pizzas. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top of each pizza. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve warm.

MOZZARELLA, HAM & PESTO PIZZAS

Steps:

• Turn the grill to high, put the pittas on the grill rack and heat for about a minute while you slice the mozzarella into five.
• Turn the pittas over and spread each one with 1 tsp pesto, then top with a mozzarella slice. Pile the ham on top, so it looks quite ruffled, then tear the final mozzarella slice into four, put it on top of the ham and grind over black pepper. Return to the grill for 3-4 minutes more until melted and starting to turn golden.