Fry

Springtime Asparagus and Ricottaย Pizza

March 15, 2011
4
4 Ratings
  • Makes one 12-inch pizza
Author Notes

I am borderline obsessed with pizza. My husband and I cook grilled pizza pretty often, especially in the summer. When I envisioned this recipe I planned on making individual grilled pizzas. A sudden rain storm and lack of propane convinced me to use my oven instead. This pizza reminds me of springtime with pencil asparagus, fresh ricotta, and pecorino romano. Applewood smoked bacon adds a layer of barely sweet savoriness. A drizzle of balsamic reductions adds a tart-sweet note. (Notes: This recipe makes more balsamic reduction & more garlic-thyme olive oil than you will need. It is easier to make the larger amount. Save the remaining balsamic to drizzle over fresh strawberries and ice cream. Save the remaining garlic-thyme oil to spread onto bread or a baked potato, or incorporate into a vinaigrette.) —hardlikearmour

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 pound pizza dough (or half of Jim Lahey's No-Knead Pizza Dough recipe)
  • 6 ounces fresh whole milk ricotta (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 medium cloves garlic
  • 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon
  • handful pencil asparagus (if using thicker asparagus split stalks lengthwise)
  • 4 ounces grated Pecorino Romano (about 2 cups, loosely packed)
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • cornmeal or semolina (for dusting pizza peel or rimless baking sneet)
Directions
  1. Place pizza stone on oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 500ยบ F. Oven should heat at least 30 minutes before cooking pizza. If pizza dough is refrigerated, bring to room temperature.
  2. Place a layer of paper towel in the bottom of a strainer, then add ricotta to strainer. Set aside.
  3. Steps 3, 4, and 5 can be done concurrently. Heat balsamic vinegar in a small pan or skillet over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes. Vinegar should reduce by more than half and become a syrup-like consistency. Set aside.
  4. Cut bacon slices crosswise into 1/4-inch strips. Fry in skillet over medium heat until most of fat has rendered out, and the bacon is starting to crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels, and set aside.
  5. Heat olive oil in small sauce pan over medium-low heat. Finely mince or press garlic and add to the oil. Once garlic starts to sizzle, remove from heat. Allow to cool for several minutes and add about 3/4 of the thyme leaves. Allow to infuse for several more minutes, then use immersion blender to combine. (You may need to transfer oil to a stick blender appropriate container to prevent oil from spattering everywhere.) Set aside.
  6. While completing steps 3, 4, and 5 remove tough ends from asparagus, and cut into approximately 1-inch lengths. Set aside. Coarsely chop remaining thyme leaves, and set aside.
  7. Form pizza dough into a 12 to 13 inch round. I like to work on a clean counter top. I first flatten it into a round using the palms of my hands. I then use my finger tips and work in a circular motion from the center to the edges pressing the dough down. I repeat this process several times until the dough is about 1/2-inch thick. Next I use one hand to hold the center of the dough, and the other hand to pull the edge of the dough outward working my way around the dough. After going around the dough a few times I cover it with damp paper towels and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to let it relax. I repeat the pulling until it has reached the desired diameter, then use my hands to press down the edges so they are only slightly thicker than the center of the dough.
  8. Dust your peel or baking sheet with semolina or corn meal. You don't want a thick layer, but need enough to prevent the dough from sticking. Carefully transfer the dough to the peel, and gently reform the circular shape if necessary.
  9. Brush the dough with the garlic-thyme olive oil. Grind some black pepper onto the crust. Sprinkle with about 3/4 of the pecorino. Scatter the bacon and asparagus over the cheese, leaving about a 1/2- to 3/4-inch border uncovered. Crumble the ricotta over the bacon and asparagus. Sprinkle the remaining pecorino over the ricotta. Gently press ingredients to flatten slightly.
  10. Pull rack with pizza stone as far out of the oven as possible. Transfer pizza to stone using a quick jerking action to get the crust onto the back of the stone. Once part of the crust hits the stone, you can slide the peel out from under it. Slide rack back in, and bake pizza for 8 to 10 minutes, until the crust has risen, cheese is melted and crust and cheese are starting to brown.
  11. Remove pizza from oven. Drizzle with balsamic reduction and sprinkle with chopped thyme. Cut into wedges, serve immediately, and relish springtime!
  12. If you don't have a pizza stone you can bake the pizza on a sheet pan. Just place the oven rack in the center to bake it. Top the dough directly on the baking pan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • fiveandspice
    fiveandspice
  • wssmom
    wssmom
  • lapadia
    lapadia
  • mrslarkin
    mrslarkin
  • Midge
    Midge
I am an amateur baker and cake decorator. I enjoy cooking, as well as eating and feeding others. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband and our menagerie. I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, mushroom hunting, tide pooling, beach combing, and snowboarding.

19 Reviews

Eva January 23, 2014
Made this pizza last weekend and it was delicious!
 
fiveandspice May 9, 2011
Loved this the first time around. Love it this time around! Namnamnam....
 
hardlikearmour May 10, 2011
Thanks, 5&S!
 
wssmom May 7, 2011
Want!
 
hardlikearmour May 7, 2011
I have a craving for it, too! Need to go to the market ASAP!
 
lapadia March 15, 2011
Wow...? asparagus, ricotta and pizza, what a combo!
 
hardlikearmour March 15, 2011
Thanks, lapadia!
 
fiveandspice March 15, 2011
I'm totally obsessed with pizza too! Especially pizza with ricotta. Definitely trying this one.
 
hardlikearmour March 15, 2011
Pizza is definitely a weakness for me. Let me know if you get a chance to try it!
 
Arathi March 15, 2011
This is beautiful. I am going to make it the first chance I get. Love your picture!
 
hardlikearmour March 15, 2011
Thanks, Arathi! I hope you try it, and if you do I'd love your feedback.
 
mrslarkin March 15, 2011
This looks and sounds very delicious! I heart pizza.
 
hardlikearmour March 15, 2011
Thanks, mrsL! I heart pizza too much.
 
Midge March 15, 2011
So springy and delicious. Saving!
 
hardlikearmour March 15, 2011
Thanks, Midge. I think I'll try a version with snap peas when they are bursting from the garden, too.
 
Sagegreen March 15, 2011
Great combination of flavors. I was thinking of doing a blonde pizza with pine nuts, yellow raisins, and honey but instead am doing a salad!
 
hardlikearmour March 15, 2011
Thanks, Sagegreen! Your salad idea sounds yummy.
 
gingerroot March 15, 2011
I wish I had some right now. Looks amazing!
 
hardlikearmour March 15, 2011
Thanks, gingerroot! It was tasty, but sadly has already been eaten.