Shaved Asparagus Pizza

Eggplant has heard some rumors that it may have lost its title as my most favorite pizza topping ever, and, between you and me, eggplant is a little emotional about this. I'm going to let eggplant sweat it out a little longer, and then I'll let it know that it hasn't lost any title, but it may have to share, especially now that I've tasted how amazing shaved asparagus tastes on pizza.

Last weekend we had some good friends over for dinner and in between the moment of inviting them to dinner and the moment they arrived, I swapped out a million different dinner menu scenarios in my head. One of them was several courses long, including a separate cheese course and ending with a triple layer chocolate cake (!). Delicious, indeed, and I would've loved to have made that menu happen, but I was getting in WAY over my head. And then it hit me: pizza! Everyone loves pizza, and I can make a few different ones. Throw in a salad and this, and you're set! And my sanity remains in check. A win-win for everyone!

Shaved Asparagus Pizza

from Smitten Kitchen

Pizza is already a relatively simple dinner to make, but this recipe takes simple to a whole new level. It also leaves me with one nagging question: what else can I shave and pile onto pizza dough? Sounds like a project!

Ingredients:

1 pre-made 12-inch thin crust, or your favorite homemade pizza dough

1/2 pound asparagus

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1/2 pound mozzarella, shredded

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 scallion, thinly sliced

1) Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F.

2) Holding an asparagus spear by its tough end, lay it flat on a cutting board and peel using a vegetable peeler, creating long shavings. It doesn't matter if they don't all come out thin or perfect. Discard tough ends. Toss shavings with olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.

3) Sprinkle pizza dough with parmesan, then mozzarella cheeses. Pile on the asparagus. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and the asparagus is slightly charred. Remove from oven and sprinkle with the scallions. Slice and serve!