Yippee!!! The nice weather is here! So I’m taking the opportunity to write to you from my balcony, surrounded by my green flora. One of these days, I’ll have to show you my urban vegetable garden. I finally started it after a few timid attempts the last two years, much to the displeasure of my husband, who thinks there is not enough space. I must say that I did not go lightly: tomato plants, cucumbers, beans, carrots, lettuce, kale, strawberries and herbs have invaded our little city balcony. The funny thing is that I never had a green thumb. All the plants I try to maintain have this annoying tendency to turn to ghosts in no time. But the fact that they are fruits and vegetables stimulates me much more. I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am at the idea of harvesting my first carrots. So my husband simply had to get used to it. The kids and I have now discovered a new passion for gardening.
Even though I stay on my balcony for hours talking about my vegetable garden, the reality is that I have to prepare dinner for my little tribe. And with this beautiful heat, I’m not thrilled to get into the kitchen, except for… pizza. It deserves a little extra heat. However, it will be a fresh pizza with arugula, smoked ham, mozzarella and tomatoes. The combination is just divine, and it is probably my favourite pizza, paired with a small glass of white wine, the perfect combination for a good evening.
PS: I make my pizza dough, but you can make your life easier by buying ready-made dough at your baker’s or even at the supermarket. If, however, you feel like making your own dough, I advise you to follow Gennaro Contaldo’s recipe; his video gives you all the details to prepare it and also to roll it out.
ARUGULA & SMOKED HAM PIZZA
Équipements
- Pizza plate
Ingredients
- 4 balls pizza dough, about 200g each Homemade or store-bought
- 500 g fresh mozzarella
- 200 g smoked ham
- arugula
- 250 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 pod garlic crushed
- olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 260°C (500°F), with the rack at the lowest.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in 2. Sprinkle them with olive oil and crushed garlic, salt and pepper. Coat the tomatoes well with oil and garlic.
- Roll out the pizza balls (see Gennaro Contaldo's video if you're not sure how to do this).
- Place the dough on the pizza pan.
- Pour a drizzle of olive oil over the dough. Spread pieces of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
- Bake for around 8 to 10 minutes.
- Take out of the oven. Garnish with the arugula and smoked ham.
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
