Curds + Whey Herb Pizza

Directions

1. Ricotta
2. Add goat’s milk and salt to non-reactive pot and place over medium heat. Heat milk slowly and watch pot carefully. Patience, grasshopper. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching.
3. Once goat’s milk is *almost* boiling (the milk will foam but that is not what we are looking for, think gentle rippling waves), remove pot from heat. Add lemon juice and stir once. Milk should split almost immediately after adding the juice. Do not touch the pot for 5 minutes.
4. Line a sieve with doubled up cheesecloth or coffee filters and place over a bowl to collect the whey. Ladle the curds into the sieve and let drain for 45 minutes to one hour. A longer strain time will yield a firmer ricotta. Reserve whey.

1. Herb Pizza
2. Add yeast, whey, hazelnut oil, whole wheat flour, 1 ? cup (200 grams) of bread flour and salt to bowl of standing mixer (or regular bowl if kneading by hand). Stir together until all ingredients are incorporated.
3. Move to standing mixer and mix with dough hook for 10 minutes. Slowly adding remaining bread flour (you may not use all of it) until dough forms a ball. If mixing by hand, knead for 10 minutes on well floured clean surface. Add more flour as necessary, until dough starts to hold shape.
4. Wipe bowl clean and grease with olive oil. Shape dough into ball and place in bowl. Flip dough around to grease the entire surface. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow dough to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in a warm spot or 4-6 hours in the fridge.
5. Toast walnuts in a dry pan over low-medium heat. Remove once fragrant and speckled with brown spots. Chop and set aside.
6. Wipe pan and return to low-medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once olive oil is hot, add sliced shallots, sautée and season with a pinch of salt. Once shallots start to turn color, add honey and stir. Sautée until well caramelized, remove from heat and set aside.
7. After dough has doubled in size, return to lightly floured surface and knead while incorporating chopped walnuts and rosemary. Knead until walnuts and rosemary are evenly distributed. Cover dough with a moist towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 450 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease with olive oil. Flatten dough onto baking sheet by pressing down and spreading with flat hands and gently pulling. If dough refuses to spread, allow gluten to relax for 5 minutes and finish shaping. Cover with moist towel and allow to rest 30 minutes.
9. Make dimples in dough with fingertips. Spread shallots atop dough, leaving an inch perimeter. Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
10. While pizza is in the oven, heat a teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once oil is hot add sage leaves. Remove once crispy and drain on a paper towel.
11. Remove pizza from oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Top with dollops of ricotta and place sage leaves atop ricotta mounds. Slice and serve!