Springtime Asparagus Pizza Food

GRILLED SPRING PIZZA WITH ASPARAGUS, LEEKS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Fill a vase or large glass with cold water and soak the leeks for about 3 minutes to remove any grit.
• Meanwhile, run a vegetable peeler down the asparagus stalks to create ribbons and place in a medium bowl. Add the zest of half the lemon, the juice of the whole lemon and 1 tablespoon oil. Toss together and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Rinse the leeks well after soaking and thinly slice into half-moons.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and just lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl or plate and let cool to room temperature. Wipe out the skillet.
• Line a plate with paper towels. Put 1 tablespoon oil and the pancetta in the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to the prepared plate to drain and cool.
• Brush a large grill pan with 1 tablespoon oil and preheat over medium-high heat.
• On a lightly floured surface, stretch the pizza dough into a long oval or rectangle to fit the grill pan. Brush the dough with 1 tablespoon oil and place oiled-side down onto the grill pan. Grill until charred and golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Brush the dough with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Lower the heat to medium. Flip the dough with a spatula. Top with the fontina, leek mixture and pancetta. Cover with an inverted baking sheet and cook until the bottom of the dough is charred and the cheese melts, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Top the pizza with the lemony asparagus. Garnish with Parmigiano-Reggiano, red pepper flakes and a drizzle of honey if desired. Slice and serve.

ASPARAGUS PIZZA

Steps:

• Trim 1/2 pound asparagus. Cut each stalk in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 2-inch pieces. Form 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough (at room temperature) into an 11-by-15-inch rectangle on an oiled piece of parchment. Top with the asparagus and 1 cup shredded fontina. Slide the crust (on the parchment) onto a preheated pizza stone or inverted baking sheet. Bake at 475˚ until the bottom is crisp, 12 minutes. Top with pesto and red pepper flakes.

SPRING VEGETABLE PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a medium bowl, combine artichoke hearts, asparagus, and tomatoes. On a large piece of parchment paper, brush 1 dough half with artichoke-heart marinade and roll out to a 14-inch-long oval. Transfer dough on parchment to a rimmed baking sheet and top with half the vegetables, leaving a 1-inch border. Brush border with marinade and season pizza with salt and pepper. Repeat to make second pizza. Bake pizzas 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Sprinkle pizzas with cheese and bake until crust is deep golden and cheese is melted, 3 to 5 minutes.

ASPARAGUS, BACON & HERBED CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. Place crust on an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan or baking sheet; brush top with 4 teaspoons oil. Top with mozzarella cheese, asparagus and bacon. Drop spreadable cheese by teaspoonfuls over pizza. Sprinkle with pepper flakes; drizzle with remaining oil., Bake 12-15 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.

ASPARAGUS PIZZA

Steps:

• Shape dough into a ball by pulling sides down and folding into bottom at centre; cover with tea towel and let rest for 20 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mix asparagus, half of the oil, the salt & pepper; set aside.
• On a lightly floure surface, shape dough by pressing with fingertips and pulling edges to stretch into 16"x12" rectangle. Place on cornmeal dusted baking sheet.
• Stir remaining oil with garlic spread over dough. Top with asparagus, and cheeses.
• Bake at 425F until crust is golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

SPRINGTIME ASPARAGUS PIZZA

Steps:

• Grease a large baking sheet; sprinkle with cornmeal. Roll out dough into a 15-in. circle; transfer to prepared baking sheet., Sprinkle crust with mozzarella and feta cheeses; top with asparagus. Bake at 450° until crust is golden and cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon zest and red pepper flakes. Top with anchovy fillets if desired.

SPRINGTIME ASPARAGUS RECIPE

Steps:

• Mix mushrooms, dressing and lemon juice in large nonstick skillet; cook on medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or just until mushrooms are tender, stirring frequently.
• Top with asparagus; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender.
• Sprinkle with almonds.