According to the calendar it is currently Spring. For many people in Minnesota it does not feel like spring though. The winter has been long & has rolled into spring like it frequently has in the past. This year as I gaze out into my backyard, this is what spring looks like:

What a beautiful December, I mean March Day. I never understood when people said they loved spring. Spring has always been my least favorite season. Generally, it keeps snowing, or it begins to melt and everything looks gross, brown, grey, and wet.

Spring does mean different produce though. Asparagus in the grocery store means spring has arrived. Asparagus in my grocery store means I hit the jackpot since my store has nothing. I bought the asparagus and decided to use it to make a Chicken, Asparagus, & White Sauce Pizza. No matter what season it is or feels like, this pizza is exquisite.

Pizza Dough from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (makes 4 1lb dough balls)

• 2 ¾ cup lukewarm water
• 1 ½ tbsp granulated  yeast or two packets
• 1 ½ tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 6 ½ cup unbleached all purpose flour or 6-6 ¼ cup bread flour

1. Mix all ingredients except the flour.
2. Add the flour without kneading. Use wet hands to incorporate the last bit of flour.
3. Cover the container (not airtight) for 2 hrs.
4. Use immediately or place in the fridge until ready. Use within 12 days.

White Pizza Sauce 

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 1 cup milk
• dash cayenne
• dash nutmeg
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Melt butter over medium heat in a skillet
2. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes
3. Stir in milk and whisk until thick & bubbly.
4. Add seasonings and cheese. Stir until combined.

Chicken & Asparagus Toppings

• 1-2 chicken breast or 3 thighs cut into 1in pieces
• 1/2lb bunch asparagus
• olive oil

1. In a skillet heat olive oil over medium to medium-high heat.
2. Add cut-up chicken and sauté until just cooked through. Remove from heat & set aside
3. Meanwhile, in large pot, bring salted water to a boil.
4. Chop asparagus into 1in pieces and blanch for a minute.
5. Drain & run under cool water until the asparagus are cool to the touch

Assembly & Baking

• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
• cornmeal
• flour

1. Preheat the oven to 450F with a heat stone inside the oven. Do this 20minutes before baking.
2. Sprinkle cornmeal on the pizza stone and flour on the counter.
3. Take a 1lb portion of the dough and place on the floured surface and roll into a circle that is 1/8in thick (or some sort of shape that looks like pizza).
4. Spread sauce on the surface leaving a 1in border. Place more parmesan cheese on the sauce (roughly 1/4cup).
5. Top with chicken & asparagus.
6. Top with mozzarella cheese lightly (roughly 1/3 cup).
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust is cooked through & cheese is melted & bubbly.