Spring Green Pizza

Ingredients:

Store bought pizza dough, at room temperature

1/2 lb asparagus, shaved into thin ribbons

1/2 cup artichoke hearts

1/3 cup basil pesto*

8 ounces mozzarella cheese

1 cup arugula

2 oz prosciutto

extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Pesto*

Handful of pistachios, pine nuts, and almonds

3 garlic cloves

3 cups basil

1 cup parsley

juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp water

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 tbsp capers, drained

pinch of kosher salt

2 tsp pepper

1 tsp red pepper flakes

juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 cup olive oil, more or less depending on the consistency you want it

Directions:

Pesto

01) Lightly toast the nuts over medium heat for about 2-3 mins.

02) Add the nuts and garlic cloves to a food processor. Pulse til it is combine and crumbly.

03) Add the remaining ingredients and slowly pour the olive oil in while you pulse everything together.

Pizza:

04) Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil

05) On a lightly floured surface, push/roll the dough out until it is pretty thin (about 10-12 inch circle) Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Rub the dough with the olive oil. Dollop the dough with pesto and layer on the sliced mozzarella. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

06) Bake for 5 mins and then remove from oven

07) Add the asparagus ribbons, artichokes, and red pepper flakes and bake for another 10 mins until the crust is browned and crisp.

08) Squeeze the lemon juice across the top of the pizza. Add the prosciutto and top with arugula. Cut into slices and serve immediately