Tangy Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza Recipe for Spring

Crafting a delightful morel and asparagus crispy pizza brings together earthy woodland mushrooms and tender green spears in a surprisingly elegant combination.

Spring’s finest ingredients dance across a perfectly crisp crust, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Wild morels contribute an intense, nutty essence that complements the delicate asparagus beautifully.

Each bite promises a gourmet experience that feels both rustic and refined.

Light and crisp, this pizza captures the essence of seasonal cooking with minimal effort.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe invites you to transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to savor every incredible slice of this culinary masterpiece.

Everything You Need for Crispy Pizza Perfection

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary base for creating a soft and stretchy pizza crust.
• Semolina Flour: Adds a subtle golden color and extra texture to the pizza dough.
• Yeast: Essential for helping the dough rise and develop a light, airy texture.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps bind the dough ingredients together.
• Olive Oil: Provides richness and helps create a tender pizza crust.
• Salt, Sugar: Enhance the overall flavor of the pizza dough.

• Morel Mushrooms, Shallots, Asparagus: Fresh vegetables that add earthy, complex flavors to the pizza.
• Fresh Thyme: Brings a delicate herbal note that complements the mushrooms and asparagus.

• Cheese: Adds creamy richness and helps bind the toppings to the pizza.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle spicy kick to enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Cornmeal: Helps prevent the pizza from sticking and adds a slight crunch to the bottom of the crust.
• Butter: Used for sautéing the vegetables and adding depth of flavor.
• White Wine: Adds moisture and complexity to the vegetable mixture.

Directions for Making Crispy Morel-Asparagus Pizza

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Mix yeast with warm water in a spacious bowl. Allow the mixture to rest and become frothy for 5 minutes, creating a bubbly foundation for your pizza dough.

Step 2: Mix Dough Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Semolina flour
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Sugar

Blend everything until a cohesive mixture forms.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Transfer dough to a flour-dusted surface.

Work the dough with your hands, adding extra flour as needed. Knead consistently for 6-8 minutes until the texture becomes smooth and stretchy.

Step 4: Let Dough Rise

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Rotate to ensure complete oil coverage.

Cover and set aside in a warm spot. Allow dough to expand and double in size over 1-1½ hours.

Step 5: Sauté Morel Mushrooms

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they soften and release their rich, earthy aroma.

Step 6: Build Mushroom Flavor

• Shallots
• Wine
• Thyme

Sauté the mixture until shallots become tender and fragrant.

Step 7: Add Asparagus

Toss asparagus into the skillet.

Cook briefly for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 8: Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat oven to 475°F. Grease baking sheets and dust with cornmeal for a crispy texture.

Step 9: Shape Pizza Crusts

Punch down the risen dough. Divide into two equal portions.

Roll each piece until thin, reaching approximately 1/8-inch thickness.

Step 10: Assemble First Pizza

Transfer one crust to a baking sheet.

Brush with olive oil. Spread half the mushroom mixture across the surface.

Sprinkle cheese and crack fresh black pepper on top.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Place pizza on the lowest oven rack.

Bake for about 12 minutes until the crust turns golden and crispy.

Step 12: Repeat and Enjoy

Repeat the process with remaining dough and toppings.

Slice and serve your gourmet homemade pizza.

Tips to Nail Your Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza

• Use warm water at precisely 110°F to activate yeast perfectly without killing it, ensuring a fluffy pizza crust.
• Rest the dough in a draft-free, warm area like near a preheated oven to help it rise consistently and develop better flavor.
• Select fresh, young asparagus and firm morel mushrooms for maximum texture and intense woodland taste in your pizza.
• Preheat the baking sheet before placing the pizza to create an extra crispy bottom crust that's golden and crunchy.
• Grate cheese freshly instead of using pre-shredded varieties for superior melting and more authentic flavor profile.

Tasty Spins on Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza

• Veggie Lovers' Pizza: Replace morel mushrooms with a medley of bell peppers, zucchini, and roasted eggplant for a colorful vegetable-packed pizza.
• Goat Cheese Special: Swap mozzarella with creamy goat cheese and add caramelized onions for a tangy, rich flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Top the pizza with crumbled feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Truffle Elegance: Drizzle white truffle oil over the finished pizza and sprinkle with fresh arugula for an elevated gourmet experience.

Pairings That Complement This Crispy Pizza

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the earthy morel mushrooms and delicate asparagus, cutting through the rich cheese and butter.
• Match Light-Bodied Red: Choose a light Pinot Noir with subtle earthiness that mirrors the mushroom's complex flavor without overpowering the pizza's delicate ingredients.
• Serve Fresh Herb Salad: Create a simple mixed green salad with fresh herbs like parsley, chives, and tarragon to provide a bright, clean counterpoint to the pizza's rich and creamy texture.
• Enhance with Sparkling Aperitif: Enjoy a dry prosecco or champagne to cleanse the palate between bites, highlighting the pizza's crispy crust and enhancing the overall dining experience.

How to Store and Warm Up Crispy Pizza

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place in a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F, place pizza on a baking sheet, and warm for 8-10 minutes until crispy and heated through.
• Skillet Method: Warm pizza in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, covering with a lid to help melt cheese and restore crispiness.

Questions About This Crispy Pizza? We’ve Got Answers

• What type of yeast works best for this pizza dough?

Active dry yeast or instant yeast are both suitable. Just ensure the yeast is fresh and dissolves completely in warm water around 110°F.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before rolling and baking.

• How do I know when the morel mushrooms are cooked properly?

Morels should be softened and slightly golden, with a tender texture. Cook them for 2-3 minutes until they release their moisture and become fragrant.

• Is semolina flour necessary for the pizza dough?

While not mandatory, semolina flour adds a nice texture and subtle flavor to the crust. If unavailable, you can substitute with additional all-purpose flour.

What Makes Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza Special

• Craft Gourmet Pizza at Home: Master a restaurant-quality pizza with simple ingredients and basic cooking skills, transforming your kitchen into a professional pizzeria.
• Seasonal Veggie Celebration: Showcase fresh spring asparagus and delicate morel mushrooms in a delightful combination that highlights seasonal produce's natural flavors.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Adapt the recipe by swapping cheeses, experimenting with different mushroom varieties, or adding personal favorite toppings for a unique dining experience.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser Meal: Perfect for casual gatherings, weekend dinners, or impressing guests with a sophisticated yet approachable homemade pizza that looks and tastes extraordinary.

Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rustic Italian Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza blends earthy mushrooms with tender spring vegetables on a perfectly crisp crust. Sophisticated flavors dance across each slice, inviting you to savor every delectable Mediterranean-inspired bite.

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Ingredients

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Dough Ingredients:

• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) warm water
• 2.5 to 3 cups (313 to 375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup (60 grams) semolina flour
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Topping Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter
• 1 cup (100 grams) fresh morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved
• 0.5 cup (75 grams) shallots, thinly sliced
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 cup (100 grams) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1.5 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese

Seasoning and Dusting:

• Freshly ground black pepper
• Cornmeal for dusting
• Additional olive oil for brushing and coating

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast by mixing with warm water, allowing it to bloom for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Combine flour varieties, olive oil, salt, and sugar into the yeast mixture, creating a cohesive dough.
3. Knead the dough on a flour-dusted surface for 6-8 minutes, developing smooth elasticity and incorporating additional flour as needed.
4. Transfer dough to an oil-coated bowl, ensuring complete coverage, and let rise in a warm environment for 1-1½ hours until volume doubles.
5. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high temperature, sautéing mushrooms until they soften and release moisture.
6. Introduce shallots, wine, and thyme to the mushroom mixture, cooking until shallots become translucent and fragrant.
7. Incorporate asparagus, briefly cooking to maintain crisp texture, then remove from heat.
8. Position oven rack to lowest position and preheat to 475°F, preparing baking sheets with cornmeal and light oil.
9. Deflate risen dough and divide into two equal portions, rolling each into thin 1/8-inch rounds.
10. Carefully transfer first dough round to prepared baking sheet, brushing surface with olive oil.
11. Distribute mushroom mixture evenly across dough, sprinkle cheese, and season with fresh cracked pepper.
12. Bake for approximately 12 minutes, achieving a golden, crispy crust with bubbling cheese.
13. Repeat process with remaining dough and topping ingredients for second pizza.

Notes

• Let yeast bloom fully in warm water to ensure active fermentation and soft, airy pizza dough.
• Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a stretchy, tender crust with perfect texture.
• Use high-heat oven setting and lowest rack for maximum crispiness, achieving golden-brown pizza base.
• Substitute dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast for vegan version, maintaining rich, savory flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg