Shaved Asparagus Pizza

I realized that my promise of seasonal goodies from the last post may have had you in the mind frame of something sweet.  If that's what you were looking forward to, I am sorry. The seasonal ingredient (asparagus) is not in the form of dessert.  But it has cheese. Which is something I often crave more than desserts. 

I never really turn down pizza and I get extra brownie bites because this is somewhat of a healthy pizza.  Well as far as pizza goes, this one is healthy since I used trader joes whole wheat pizza dough and the topping is shaved asparagus.  

That's right. Shaved asparagus.  It's new to me too.  But apparently very popular these days.  I have seen so many recent posts on my blog roll with the ingredient of shaved asparagus.  Here (inspiration for this recipe), here, here and finally here (with a pictorial how-to).  All of which led me to jump on the bandwagon and want to explore this unique way of preparing this veggie.

I've always liked asparagus.  Usually steaming it, sauteing it and most recently grilling it.  Always trimming the tough ends to make the stalks more edible and enjoyable.  But with the discovery of shaving it, I don't even have to break out a pot or a pan to cook it because it is absolutely delicious RAW!  I never thought about eating asparagus raw because...well...it just never appealed to me.  Didn't really think it was possible.  But using my handy dandy veggie peeler to create beautiful thin ribbons of asparagus, tossing it with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt & pepper...Yummy.

Now the husband and I have something new to nosh on the next time we do a raw foods diet.

Then add it on top of dough with  fresh mozzarella cheese and a bit of cream sauce. It was pure delight.

Oh and what's the yellow looking sauce in the bottom of the photo you ask.

An egg! Because sometimes an egg just makes it better.

The husband was doubtful of the egg at first, so I only added eggs to half of the pizza. Honestly, he was doubtful of the entire shaved asparagus pizza idea.  So being the good new wife that I am learning to be, I gently *wink wink* reminded him who runs this kitchen.

Needless to say it was music to my ears when he said, You're Right! Win, Win!!!




Shaved Asparagus Pizza
Printable Recipe

1 ball of pizza dough
1/2 bunch of asparagus
white cream sauce (recipe below)
grated Parmesan cheese
fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces
1 green onion, thinly sliced
red pepper flakes, to taste
3 eggs, if using

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Roll out pizza dough into 12 inch round. Transfer to prepared (lightly sprinkled with cornmeal) pizza pan. Lightly brush dough with olive oil and bake pizza dough for 5 minutes.  Remove from oven, pierce air bubbles that have developed and set aside.

While dough is baking, prepare asparagus.  Trim the tough ends of the asparagus.  Using a vegetable peeler, shave the asparagus into ribbons.  You will have a lot but it is okay because they will cook down in the oven.  Toss the asparagus with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Spread the cream sauce on the pre-baked pizza dough.  Be careful not to use all of the sauce so the pizza does not become soggy.  Then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.  Top evenly with the torn pieces of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with sliced green onion and red pepper flakes.

Bake until cheese has melted and crust begins to brown, approximately 12 minutes. 

If using eggs, bake pizza for approximately 7-8 minutes.  Remove pizza from oven and crack eggs over pizza.  Return to oven and continue cooking for 6-7 more minutes

White Cream Sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
pinch salt and pepper

In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Then add the garlic and stir for 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream, lower to medium low heat and let simmer, approximately 5 minutes, until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.