Pizza With Ham Asparagus And Ricotta Recipes

ASPARAGUS AND RICOTTA PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500ºF.
• Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it is roughly 12 inches wide and 1/4-inch thick. (See Kelly's Notes.)
• Invert a baking sheet and sprinkle it liberally with cornmeal. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then brush the dough lightly all over with olive oil.
• Combine the ricotta, parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley. Season the cheese mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
• Using a vegetable peeler, shave the asparagus length-wise into thin ribbons. (There's no need to remove the tough ends first, as you can use them to more easily grip the asparagus as you peel them. Just make sure not to shave off any of the tougher part.) In a small bowl, toss the ribbons with 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
• Spread the cheese mixture all over the pizza, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges, then evenly distribute the asparagus ribbons on top of the cheese.
• Bake the pizza for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating it half-way through, until the crust is fully baked and golden brown. Remove the pizza from the oven to a cutting board, drizzle it with fresh lemon juice, and slice and serve.

PIZZA WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in water and set aside to proof for about five minutes. Pour yeast mixture into a bowl, add salt, olive oil, pepper and two cups of flour. Mix well. Add some of the remaining flour, in two or three portions, until the dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl. You should have some flour left.
• Dust a work surface with some of the remaining flour and turn the dough out onto it. Knead until it is very smooth and elastic, kneading in additional flour as necessary.
• Place the dough in a large lightly oiled bowl. Turn the dough to oil the top, cover loosely and allow to rise until doubled, about 1 hour at room temperature. Punch the dough down.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and place oven rack in the lowest position. Dust a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza stone with cornmeal.
• Divide the dough into four portions and roll or stretch each to form an eight-inch circle, leaving a thicker border.
• Snap off the bottom ends of the asparagus and peel the bottom half of each. Slice each asparagus in half lengthwise, then cut each piece in half.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the circles of dough, then arrange the asparagus pieces, cut side down, in a pattern on each. Sprinkle with Fontina and Gorgonzola.
• Bake pizzas about 15 minutes, until the crust is lightly browned and the cheese is bubbling. Serve at once.

PIZZA WITH ASPARAGUS, SPRING ONIONS, PANCETTA, AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Heat a large, wide-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, onions, and a large pinch of salt. Cook until the onions are soft, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and lowering the heat if needed to keep them from browning. Let cool.
• Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus. Slice the trimmed spears on the diagonal about 1/4 inch thick.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus and cook until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to chill quickly. Pat dry.
• Season the ricotta with salt and white pepper.
• At least 45 minutes before baking, put a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat the oven to its highest setting (500°F to 550°F).
• With lightly floured fingers, flatten a ball of pizza dough into a round on a lightly floured work surface. Pick up the round with both hands and, grasping the round by an edge, rotate the dough clockwise between your fingertips, always holding it by the edge. As you rotate the dough, stretch it into an 8-inch circle; the dough will also stretch and lengthen from its own weight. Alternatively, drape the flattened round over your lightly floured knuckles and rotate the dough, moving your knuckles slightly farther apart, until the round stretches into an 8-inch circle.
• Place on a pizza peel lightly dusted with cornmeal or durum flour. Work quickly now to prevent sticking.
• Using one-quarter of the onion mixture, spread it evenly over the surface of the dough. Scatter asparagus over the onions, using one-quarter of the total. Dollop one-quarter (4 ounces) of the ricotta on the pizza in 7 to 8 mounds. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Arrange 5 pancetta slices, still coiled in rounds, on top, spacing them evenly.
• Slide the pizza onto the pizza stone and bake until the crust is brown and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Cut into slices and serve hot. Repeat with the remaining three balls of dough and the remaining topping.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc or another lean and refreshing white wine.

ASPARAGUS AND RED PEPPER PIZZA (WHITE OR RED)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Steam the asparagus and bell pepper with a small amount of water in a covered saucepan, until tender crisp, and drain.
• Place the crust on a pan, spread the sauce or ricotta cheese evenly over it. Sprinkle with the cheese, followed by the asparagus-bell pepper mixture.
• Bake until the cheese is bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, let stand for 2 to 3 minutes, and cut into 6 or 8 wedges to serve.
• Asparagus and Red Pepper Pizza (this page)
• Dilled Barley and Green Bean Salad (page 47)
• (with marinara)
• Calories: 250
• Total Fat: 6g
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrate: 32g
• Cholesterol: 19mg
• Sodium: 553mg
• (with ricotta)
• Calories: 320
• Total Fat: 10g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbohydrate: 32g
• Cholesterol: 40mg
• Sodium: 441mg

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.

EGG, PROSCIUTTO, AND ASPARAGUS PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat a pizza stone in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Prepare an ice bath. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook until bright green and just tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain; set aside.
• Divide dough into four pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 7-inch round. Top rounds with ricotta, mozzarella, asparagus, tomatoes, and olives. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake until crust is golden and cheese has melted, 10 to 12 minutes. Break an egg into a bowl, and slide onto a pizza; repeat. Continue baking until eggs are set, about 4 minutes. Arrange prosciutto and basil over the top, and serve hot.