Been to a Farm Lately? (Recipe: Asparagus & Cherry Tomato Pizza)

by Cheryl on April 22, 2010

in What's for Dinner?

This summer, take the time to get a little dirty and source your food outside the market. Get to know the people who make your food.  See where your food comes from. And eat it right from the ground, dirt and all.
Photo by Cheryl

Asparagus and Tomato Pizza

Use your favorite pizza dough (or my version) to create a summery pizza.  Vary the toppings according to what’s in season and what you find that day on your farm visit.

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 bunch asparagus
• 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Pizza Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Pull out your dough into rough 8-10 inch circles. Place onto a thick cookie sheet or pizza stone sprinkled with cornmeal.
2. Trim any rough bits from your asparagus (if it is farm fresh you shouldn’t have to do a thing). Cook in boiling water for 1 minute then immediately submerge in ice water to stop the cooking.
3. Drizzle your stretched pizza dough with the garlic and olive oil.  Arrange the asparagus and halved tomatoes over the pizza. Sprinkle the feta and oregano on top. Add an extra drizzle of olive oil on top.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes until pizza is cooked all the way through and cheese is bubbling slightly.

Potluck Pockets

Here is another recipe for you today that uses pitas.  I am hoping to try a homemade version of pitas soon.  When I do I will share.
This is a recipe I have been making for a while and is a family favorite.  I found it years ago in a Taste of Home magazine.  The pockets are filled with a savory beef filling.  Then you drizzle it with a sauce.  The recipe is quite salty so if you are not a fan of salty you may not like this one.  The salty flavor comes from soy sauce and worcestershire sauce.  This will be a great recipe for warm weather,  It’s all made on the stove top!  It also comes together in about 30 minutes.

Potluck Pockets

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 6 pita breads, halvedon
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 3 cups shredded lettuce
• SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Dash pepper

1. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, cumin and Italian seasoning; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5-10 minutes.
2. In a small saucepan, bring sauce ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5-10 minutes. Spoon meat mixture into pita halves; top with sauce, tomatoes and lettuce. Yield: 6 servings

Avacado Salad

• 2-3 mashed avocados
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in halves
• onion to taste
• 1 clove grated garlic
• 1/4 lemon or lime juice
• 1-2 stalks celery

Eat this on either

• 1-2 slices toasted whole grain bread
• several whole romaine leaves as a roll-up