Asparagus Pizza Bianca

By Ashley Jean June 16, 2023 19 mins read 115 Views

Asparagus Pizza Bianca

Caciocavallo is a distinguished Italian cheese from southern Italy that means “horse cheese”, due to the fact that during the maturation process, two kinds of cheese are bound together with a rope in a horizontal way on a wood surface, called in Italian “ a cavallo”, then “horse”. It is an ancient traditional cheese, the first time mentioned in history was 500 BC by Hippocrates. There are other kinds of Caciocavallo cheese based on their origins as well as the type of milk. The most famous is made with cow’s milk from the southern areas of Italy

Ingredients

Basic Pizza Dough {see recipe}
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch thin asparagus (about 1 pound)
Canned or jarred Roasted red pepper strips, drained
1 small handful of fresh sage or basil leaves, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded caciocavallo cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Asparagus Pizza Bianca

Directions

Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the minced garlic. Remove the woody stems from the asparagus.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Oil a 16-inch pizza pan.
Press the dough out in the pan to its edges.
Spread the garlic oil over the pizza dough and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the caciocavallo cheese evenly over the dough. Distribute the chopped sage evenly over the cheese,
Alternate the asparagus spears and pepper strips in a circle around the entire pizza top. {see photo}. Sprinkle with Parmesan and the remaining oil.
Bake in the oven for about 15- 20 minutes until the crust is lightly brown. Serve with a salad.

Asparagus Pizza Bianca

Simple Spinach Salad

Ingredients

5oz baby spinach
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons diced walnuts
Fresh ground black pepper

Directions

To toast the walnuts*. Add walnuts to a small ungreased skillet over medium heat. Let the diced walnuts warm up, stirring occasionally until they just begin to darken and become fragrant, this usually takes about 5-6 minutes.

Remove the skillet from the heat, give the walnuts a little shake, and let the walnuts rest on the warm skillet 2-3 more minutes to finish toasting until ready to add to the salad.

Place the spinach to a bowl and drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil.
Toss the spinach to coat in lemon juice and olive oil.

Add cheese, walnuts, and a dash of freshly cracked pepper. Toss again and serve immediately.

By: Jovina Coughlin
Title: Asparagus Pizza Bianca
Sourced From: jovinacooksitalian.com/2023/06/16/asparagus-pizza-bianca/
Published Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:14:34 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Is regular olive oil okay to be used in place of extra virgin?

Extra virgin olive oil is not recommended for Mediterranean cuisine. Regular olive oil can be used in place of extra virgin. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, (EVOO), has a higher quality, more nutritional benefits, and a milder flavor. Regular olive oil, however, is still an option. Regular olive oil works well for everyday meals, such as roasting vegetables to stir fry dishes. This oil is cheaper than EVOO. Some even believe it can be used for higher heat applications, such as deep frying. However, remember that it does not contain the same nutrients or positive compounds as EVOO, so try to make up for these benefits in other parts of your diet whenever possible.

What is the Mediterranean diet for rice?

Mediterranean diets allow rice but encourage it. This diet encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Whole-grain brown rice is an excellent source of carbohydrate and provides energy. It is also a great source of dietary fibre, which can improve digestion and provide vital nutrients such as iron and B vitamins. Rice can be incorporated into meals by adding cooked grains to salads, soups, and stews. If you eat rice-based dishes, it's a good idea to limit added fat.

What are the main principles of the Mediterranean diet, and how can they be applied to your daily life?

Mediterranean diet is known for its focus on healthy, nutritious food choices as well as regular physical activity. This diet focuses on fruits, vegetables whole grains, legumes and healthy fats such olive oil and nuts. A moderate amount of dairy, meat, fish, and poultry is also encouraged. Red wine should be enjoyed in moderation. These are the basic principles of the Mediterranean diet:

Eat mainly plant-based meals, including fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and cereals, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats such as olive oil and other olive oils. Also, eat small amounts yogurt (preferably notfat), low-fat cheese, yogurt, and minimal amounts of red and lean meats or poultry about once a week.
If possible, opt for fresh ingredients instead of pre-packaged processed food products.
Add herbs rather than salt to flavor meals generously.
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, like taking a walk after dinner or participating in an exercise class.
Enjoy meals with your family and friends, and enjoy the pleasure of sharing food.
Pay attention to the tastes, textures and smells of your food. This is mindfulness eating. This will help you recognize when you are full and satisfied.

What is a Mediterranean breakfast?

A Mediterranean breakfast can include a mix protein, healthy and carbohydrate. Options can range from eggs cooked in olive oil with a side of roasted vegetables or a salad, Greek yogurt or cheese served with whole-grain toast, or quinoa porridge topped with fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds. Avocado toast with tomatoes is a delicious option for breakfast. You can start your day with Mediterranean-inspired proteins like wild-caught fish, grassfed meat, organic eggs, and nuts. You can choose whole grains such as quinoa or oats as nutritious carbohydrates; you can limit sugar intake by choosing fresh fruits over sweetened yogurts and cereals; you can add healthy fats such as avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and olives to your meal; and, for additional antioxidants, green tea.

What are the Mediterranean fruits?

Common Mediterranean Diet fruits include oranges and grapes, melons (pears, figs), dates, and berries. You can add fresh fruits into breakfast recipes like smoothie bowls, parfaits, or shakes to increase nutrition. Greek yogurt, spread over toast with dates, is another great choice for breakfast. Additionally, having fresh fruit sliced over salads adds flavor and nutrients to meals and can help satisfy cravings for sweet taste components. The Mediterranean Diet also includes nuts and seeds, such as almonds, pistachios, and dark chocolate with moderate amounts of antioxidants. Discover the diverse local foods that are considered to be staples in Mediterranean countries and enjoy the rich flavors of this ancient diet.

Statistics

Aim to get 20 to 35 percent of your total daily caloric intake from fat, and for saturated fats to represent less than 10 percent of your total caloric intake, advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (everydayhealth.com)
One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)
In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)
Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

How To

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle by adopting a Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet reflects the traditional Mediterranean foodways. It emphasizes healthy fats. whole grains. legumes, and fresh fruit and vegetables. A hallmark of this diet is the regular consumption of plant-based foods such as legumes and nuts, packed with essential nutrients like plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods have been shown to be beneficial for heart health.

Adopting a Mediterranean diet can offer many potential health benefits, including living longer lives with good quality; improved blood lipids; better glucose control; reduced risk for depression; better cardiac health; enhanced cognitive function; reduced risk for certain types of cancer (e.g., colon) compared to other dietary strategies. Evidence suggests that there may be beneficial effects on weight control and prevention of cardiovascular disease. It has health benefits for body composition, overall health, and chronic disease prevention. It encourages socializing around meals to help reduce cravings at random hours of the day. You can increase your health by engaging in moderately vigorous exercise throughout the day. This includes walking, biking, and using the stairs instead of the elevator to get to work.

Eat more fruits and vegetables as sides and snacks to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet. Instead of eating refined grains, choose whole-grain options such as brown rice, quinoa and oats. Add more beans, fish, and nuts to your diet for protein. Olive oil can be used as your main cooking fat. Use herbs and spices instead of salt to season food. Limit your intake of dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, or milk. To complete the Mediterranean diet, have a glass or two of red wine every once in a while!

Making changes to your daily meal plan takes time and dedication. However, you can make it easier to change your diet. Learn how to make your diet more varied. This will give you the opportunity to experiment with different spices, fruits, and veggies, so that you don't become bored by the same food. Last but not the least, incorporate grains, legumes, high-fiber items, which can increase satiety following meals.

The Mediterranean diet encourages you to enjoy your food and the pleasure of cooking with a healthy twist. By making small changes, you can increase your intake of whole foods as well as plant-based ingredients to create a balanced diet. With time and consistency, this dietary pattern could offer potential health benefits, including a longer lifespan and improved overall quality of life.